Not Just a Haircut: The Reality of Wool

Just last week I wrote about the wool industry's greenwashing efforts. Not only does the wool industry take a mind-boggling toll on the environment, but it is shockingly cruel. The mythology of wool is that it's just a friendly haircut, but nothing could be further from the truth. In a new undercover investigation by PETA, " ...workers killed, beat, stomped on, kicked, mutilated, and threw sheep around as they sheared them in Australia, the world’s top wool exporter, and the U.S." This should be especially troubling news for "ethical" and "sustainable" designers who continue to use animal products because they are marketed as "natural".

This should be especially troubling news for "ethical" and "sustainable" designers who continue to use animal products like wool.

You can view the undercover videos below:

The problem isn't that these workers are being especially cruel, per se. The deeper problem is that this is considered business-as-usual. Beating sheep to get them to stay still while shearing them is standard and accepted practice. Whenever an animal is put into a business production model, exploitation is inevitable and worsens as the demands for their hairs, skins, and flesh increases. The needs of any living creature can not be met when it is believed that their sole purpose is to make the biggest profit at the least expense. And in this case, most workers are paid by volume, not by the hour, so accidents and viciousness are frequent.

Please read the entire investigation here: http://investigations.peta.org/australia-us-wool/