The Honourable John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
ph: (02) 6277 7700; fax: (02) 6273 4100
email: primeministers@naa.gov.au
[website: www.pm.gov.au/email.cfm]

The Honourable Warren Truss, Member of Parliament
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry
House of Representatives, Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
ph: (02) 6277 7520; fax: (02) 6273 4120
email: W.Truss.MP@aph.gov.au

Dear Prime Minister Howard and Minister Truss:

I write to ask for your intervention in Australia's wool industry and live export of sheep raised for wool. As the world's leading producer/exporter of wool, Australia ought to set responsible and humane standards.

Instead, Australian wool ranches employ such callous practices as tail-docking and tooth-grinding. During shearing, negligent hands and sharp shears often lead to lacerations and bruises. Veterinary care is uncommon, leaving wounded sheep and lambs (some of whom die) exposed to the elements.

Mulesing is the cruelest practice. I urge officials to ban this barbaric procedure in which Australian farmers cut slabs of flesh from the animals' backsides in a primitive attempt to subdue flystrike. There is no justification for maiming sheep without painkillers—especially when contemporary and merciful control methods are available.

Once sheep are “used up,” the frail animals are packed into multitiered ships for weeks of grueling travel to Middle East slaughterhouses. Thousands of animals perish in airless chambers where manure blankets the floor and emits suffocating ammonia fumes. Witnesses have described sheep frothing at the mouth as they crush through bars in an effort to breathe. Those who survive transport face throat slitting while fully conscious, since many Middle East countries do not require stunning prior to slaughter.

I am pleased to learn international retailer Abercrombie & Fitch has promised to not use Australian wool in any of its apparel until live exports and mulesing are banned. To avoid further boycotting of Australian wool, I hope you will advocate a prohibition on these two practices.

Please renew Australia's credibility as a considerate, peaceful place to visit and conduct business. I do not feel comfortable traveling to a nation that refuses to address animal suffering.

Thank you,