PETA WATCH

VULGAR vegan lobby People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has labeled Australia's peak wool growing body Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) a 'maggot in the sheep farmers' backside' in a full page advertisement in Fairfax media's Farm Weekly newspaper.

In a move that seems to be an attempt to drive a wedge between Aussie wool growers and AWI, the ad which is titled The Future of Australian Wool Is in Your Hands makes the claim that 'AWI has wasted farmers' time and money by clinging to crude and inhumane mutilations. It has become a maggot in the sheep farmers' backside.'

'It is up to Australian sheep farmers to save their arses and the sheep's by taking the initiative to end cruel mulesing mutilations themselves.'

But Australian Wool Growers Association chair Martin Oppenheimer said he was surprised at PETA's latest attack against AWI and believes it will fail. He said the industry was working more closely with most animal welfare groups than in the past and was taking the issue seriously.