News Releases

GIORDANO CONDEMNS MULESED AUSTRALIAN WOOL

Hong Kong-Based International Fashion Giant Is Latest Company to Take a Stand Against Cruelty to Sheep

 

For Immediate Release:

October 27, 2011

 

Hong Kong -- The international revolt against Australian wool that comes from sheep who are mutilated in a barbaric practice called "mulesing" has just gained another prestigious member. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia has received written confirmation from the director of sourcing of Hong Kong-based clothing retailer Giordano Limited that reads, "We now recognize that mulesing is an unnecessarily cruel and barbaric practice, we will urge our vendors to stop using wool [sourced] from mulesed sheep". Giordano is a leading international apparel retailer with more than 2,400 shops in the Asia-Pacific region, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North America and Australia. Giordano's compassionate stand comes on top of confirmation from retailer Bauhaus -- which has 50 stores in Hong Kong and another 200 throughout China and elsewhere -- that the company has a "policy of not using Australian wool from mulesed flocks for our products".

 

"Consumers in China and across Asia are shocked to learn about Australia's dirty little secret: mulesing", says PETA Asia Vice President Jason Baker. "Giordano is listening to its customers and has set a worthy example for other fashion retailers to follow."

 

In mulesing, large chunks of skin and flesh are cut from lambs' backsides with instruments resembling garden shears in a crude and cruel attempt to prevent a maggot infestation called "flystrike". Experts estimate that a transition to sheep who are less susceptible to flystrike could be accomplished in two years. Sheep farmers in New Zealand -- and even many in Australia -- have already abandoned mulesing.

 

Giordano joins other leading designers and retailers that have pledged not to use Australian wool or wool from mulesed lambs. Companies that have made such a pledge include H&M, HUGO BOSS, Abercrombie & Fitch, Timberland and Gap Inc.

 

For more information, please visit PETAAsiaPacific.com.

 

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