The Wool Boycott- What Are Your Options?
Posted by Bri Cain on 30th Jul 2014
Do you know where your clothing comes from? Sadly, the majority of clothes being sold today originate in places that create deplorable conditions not only for workers, but also for animals. Like many of you, I care deeply about human rights and ethical treatment of animals. But to be honest, I often find myself frustrated with how challenging and time-consuming it is to find products that support my beliefs. It's so tempting to just give up and buy what's easy.
Recently, while browsing the Facebook page of one of my favorite retailers, an issue came to my attention. Hundreds of people were commenting about their intention to boycott this store, due to their use of merino wool. This piqued my interest and led me to do a little bit of research.Earlier this month, animal rights activist group PETA called for a worldwide boycott of wool after revealing undercover video footage showing the shocking abuse of sheep in the wool industry. According to an article published by Fashion United UK, the footage, filmed between October 2013 and February 2014, shows sheep shearers "violently punching, kicking, and throwing terrified sheep during their shearing session," along with even more unspeakably disturbing abuse. PETA documented 70 workers employed by nine sheep shearing contractors in Australia, along with cases of neglect and abuse of sheep at 14 ranches in the United States.
To be fair, this footage cannot be representative of 100% of wool shearing facilities. WoolProducers Australia's president Geoff Fisken claimed to be appalled by the footage: "We ask all woolgrowers to take a zero tolerance approach to poor animal welfare practice and take the necessary steps to ensure rare behavior like this ends."
Am I educated enough on sheep shearing to tell you to never buy a merino wool sweater again? Definitely not. However, I do applaud PETA and other groups who are bringing awareness about these issues to the public. In today's market, a distance exists between the consumer and the harsh realities of the garment industry. When we purchase a sweater in a store at the mall, we are not forced to see videos of the animal abuse, poor factory conditions, etc. that the garment originated from. If we were, I would venture to guess that a very small percentage of people would still make the purchase.
If these are issues you care about, don't feel like you are too insignificant to make a difference! Let your favorite stores know that you care and that these issues influence your buying. You have options. Consider every dollar you spend a vote for what you believe in, and stop spending your hard-earned money on products that conflict with your beliefs!
When it comes to alpaca fleece, we have already done the research for you, and we are happy to offer a truly ethical option! The farms that we partner with truly love their animals-- alpacas actually hold a revered place in Peruvian culture. Our ranchers treat their alpacas with the respect these beautiful animals deserve. They are grateful to them for providing their community with a way to earn an honest and dignified living. These alpacas are truly loved and never harmed for their fleece or their fur. When you buy an item from Sun Valley Alpaca Co, you can feel 100% assured that your product is one you should feel good about. It's not only stylish, but organic, fair-trade certified, and born of an ethical and pride-filled process. This is our absolute guarantee!
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You can read more about the sheep wool boycott here:
http://www.fashionunited.co.uk/fashion-news/fashion/peta-calls-for-wool-boycott-after-investigation-reveals-animal-abuse-2014071521711