Don't wear sheep or lambs, don't eat sheep or lambs. Leave these docile sweet creatures alone!!! That's how you can save the sheep.

Posted by: Ana | February 19, 2008 03:49 PM

I looked at the link about mulesing, and I don't get it. Why is cutting the animals' skin off with shears to get their wool supposed to be easier, faster, and cleaner than just shaving them? I would think the wool producers would stop this practice just because it's not practical, in addition to the fact that I'd think workers would resist doing it. I don't understand why a business wouldn't choose a less cruel method when it seems the less cruel method almost certainly won't cost significantly more!

Posted by: Mabel | February 19, 2008 04:02 PM

While less cruelty is certainly preferable to more, buying non-mulesing wool is missing the point.

All sheep used for wool are ultimately killed, usually shipped thousands of miles on boats to the middle east to be ritually slaughtered. These living feeling beings are seen as nothing more than resources for human gain.

Considering that it is completely unnecessary for humans to wear wool, the best thing anyone can do is refuse to buy or wear it. Let the sheep live - choose plant alternatives.

Posted by: Brandon Becker | February 19, 2008 04:18 PM

THANKS H&M!!
Although I prefer Hot Topic. I do see leather in their shoes sometimes...and I just hang my head. I buy my band t-shirts and cartilage rings from there.

But nothing else. (maybe a magazine or two also. lol)

Posted by: Amber Falobas | February 19, 2008 04:35 PM

Way to go H & M!!!!!

Posted by: John Carmody | February 19, 2008 04:49 PM

I think the news that, H&M is not buying cruelly produced Australian wool is totally great. But if you want to really make an ethic purchase you should consider as well workers who make their clothes in India are being paid as little as as low as £1.13 for a nine-hour , wages so low the workers claim they sometimes have to rely on government food parcels.
Another tailor who makes clothes for H&M, said that when she could not achieve her production targets, the clothes were thrown in her face. She said up to 15 workers a day collapsed and had to be given medical attention. Workers and unions claim the conditions in the factories led to two tragic incidents this year.

Cruel exploitation to humans or to animals is equally unacceptable.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/sep/03/retail.supermarkets

Posted by: Steven | February 19, 2008 05:24 PM

It's always great to hear about steps like this (baby steps though they may be), but one has to ask how stores like H&M can produce such cheap merchandise. I haven't done the research to know if it's the case with H&M, but usually low prices on the rack mean human animals have been exploited in the production phase. I love a good deal as much as anyone, but I'll continue shopping at thrift stores rather than supporting de facto sweat shops (or companies that hire them). Fashion doesn't have to be cruel. To anyone.

Posted by: Nancy | February 19, 2008 05:41 PM

Hi Amy! Love your cooking blog - so glad you're here!

Today I heard a news story about a new technology that would allow stores to track their clothing back to the factory where it's made, and to the very "farm" where the fabric came from - all kinds of implications there!

Hopefully it may be helpful for awareness of cruelty-free clothing! ;)

Posted by: Maya, CVT | February 19, 2008 09:02 PM

Candice,

You can only put your pants on one leg at a time.

"Don't do nothing because you can't do everything. Do Something. Anything." 


Posted by: Mike Quinoa | February 20, 2008 12:26 PM

Candice L. and Brandon

I agree with your comments! See mine February 19: 3:49.

Leave the sheep alone and no one gets hurt!!! That's a victory! Don't wear or eat sheep/lambs.

Posted by: Ana | February 20, 2008 02:26 PM

Thanks to Peta's agreement with the Australian wool industry, specifically the clause by peta requiring the ability to differentiate mulesed and unmulsed wool, the Wool industry has been doing just that.
H&M acount for about 0.5% of the Aust. wool clip, fortunately around 30% of Australian sheep aren't mulesed.
H&M have agreed to continue purchasing Aust. wool provided it hasn't come from mulesed stock. Fair enough.

hi maya, farm traceability has become a huge focus, as customers feel more secure. I grow cotton and each bale that I sell can be traced back to the very field in which it is grown. Actually a small area within that field.

Posted by: rojo | February 21, 2008 07:29 AM

peta, make converse to h&m to make it no wool, pretty please.
i'm also for human rights too.

Posted by: erica | February 21, 2008 04:29 PM

I must start by saying: I have' done a lot of reading up
on Australian wool production
(muelsing) and it is completely vile and horrifying
Good for H&M--their decision is a PLUS for our animal friends. I also wanted to say
that I am not a fan of Madonna, as many of you are not; she is still spotted wearing fur accessories. (Totally unnacceptable)My
point: she recently had a line
of clothing at H&M locations,
and it was reported that she
was seen wearing a t-shirt that stated "people shouldn't
wear dead animals" this still
doesn't make me a fan-- but I
have to contemplate that even
baby steps towards improving
the lives of our precious animal friends and changing ones ways, no matter how slightly, can't be a bad thing! My little sister asked
me if she could share a few words: "I would just like to say how wonderful it is to hear that H&M will no longer be using Australian wool anymore!!! I'm sure we are all aware that very cruel methods were used to obtain that fabric, so this is a big
step in the right direction. I would also like to add a tidbit about my favorite artist Madonna. Many of you may not know that she produced
a clothing line last year that
was specifically being marketed by H&M. I know she is not perfect, she still has
reportedly been seen wearing
fur, but I like to think that
her teaming up with the chain
could be a step in the right
direction. I hope more stores
continue to find ways to bring
us cool, fun, clothing and products that do not cause ANY
harm or pain for any beautiful
animals. There is already far
too much of that in our world."-Jen L. Three things:
I can attest that Jen cares
very much about animal welfare, as does everyone in our family.
Check out Madonna's video for
the song "Cherish" with all those precious dolphins.
To Amy; I can't resist a little girly talk, because I
love my make-up, and skin care, one word: AVON
Thanks to everyone, for hearing what we had to say, and we must not forget what a
"living nightmare" Australian
muelsing continues to be for
the animals.

Posted by: Pamela L. | February 21, 2008 04:36 PM

Pamela L, H&M haven't said they won't purchase Australian wool, only that they won't buy wool from mulesed sheep.

Posted by: rojo | February 22, 2008 09:22 AM

H&M SHOULD BE COMMENDED-I USED TO BUY CHANEL BUT REFUSE TO SPEND MONEY ON ANY DESIGNERS WHO USE LEATHER AND FUR!

Posted by: DR.TOULA GUILFOYLE | February 24, 2008 12:14 PM

For those of you that don't know, mulesing is done to actually save the life of sheep and before you comment on how cruel it is to mules a lamb remember that every lamb that is mulesed wont die a slow very agonising death by infection from fly strike. Yes they experience pain as a lamb from the procedure but they dont later die being eaten alive by thousands of maggots. Realise farmers are not in the business of hurting animals they are trying to put food on the table to feed their families. If your woried about cruelty to animals go after the real culprits people who own pets and lock them in there house and never let them see the light of day because they don't want anything to happen to "their pet" but they a to lazy to walk them everyday!

Posted by: RJ | March 18, 2008 06:53 PM