Another blow for Aussie wool

Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have dealt another blow to Australian merino farmers with an Asian clothing company joining the global boycott of the product.

The manufacturer and distributor of high end labels Pierre Cardin, NafNaf and Jack & Jill - Kukdong Corporation - has announced it is committed to eliminating Australian wool from its supply chain.

Internationally the number of retailers that have banned the use of Australian merino wool in their collections include Perry Ellis International, Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria's Secret, Timberland, Liz Claiborne, Hugo Boss, Gap and H&M.

The move follows a five-year anti-mulesing campaign by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) which says mulesing, where skin is removed from a sheep's rear end to protect it from fly strike, is cruel.

The marketing body behind Australian Wool, Australian Wool Innovation, has pledged to phase out mulesing by 2010 and fast tracked a research development program to develop viable alternatives to the practice.

The list of Australian designers with strategic allegiances to Australian merino wool includes Ben Pollett, Jayson Brunsdon, Josh Goot and Tina Kalivas.