Wool industry pressures fashion houses

International retailers have been told alternatives to mulesing Australian sheep will be in place before 2010. Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) - the industry's research and development body - says there is full support from the industry for woolgrowers to produce an ethical natural fiber. Earlier this week, another international fashion giant slapped a ban on Australian wool from mulesed sheep. German-based Clemens and August (C&A), with more than 1,100 stores in 16 European countries, became the latest to join Hugo Boss, Abercrombie and Fitch, Timberland, H&M and more than 10 other major retailers in the boycott. The AWI board on Friday sent an open letter to international retailers and wool industry stakeholders confirming commitments to wool from non-mulesed sheep. Retailers were comfortable with the industry's progress, AWI chairman Brian van Rooyen said. "There will be alternatives to mulesing ready for adoption prior to 2010," he said in a statement. "Progress is being made on other alternatives such as breeding and selection. "Already, 23 per cent of Australian wool-producing properties do not intend to mules in 2008. In the interim, pain relief is being widely used and promoted." Woolgrowers were mindful of adapting their production systems, Mr van Rooyen said. "A non-mulesed wool market will be operating through the Australian auction system from July 2008 and retailers also know that 32 per cent of lambs born this year will not be mulesed." Mulesing involves cutting skin from the hindquarters of sheep to prevent fly larvae from feeding on the tissue, but animal rights movement People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claims the practice is cruel. PETA has targeted Australian wool farmers because mulesing is predominantly performed in Australia. "We've informed PETA that the resolve of AWI is clear and the industry's commitment (to phase out mulesing) is rock-solid," Mr van Rooyen said