Help end 'Battery Sheep' farming

Investigations by Animals Australia in 2004 and 2011 at "The Wool Factory" -- a wool factory farm in Victoria -- revealed more than a thousand sheep being confined in sheds in tiny individual pens in order to produce 'ultra-fine wool' for high end fashion garments such as suits. Investigators documented sheep chewing on the wooden slats and strands of wire of their pens due to stress, frustration and boredom. These animals can endure this solitary confinement for some 5 or 6 miserable years.

A 2009 scientific study at this factory farm found that the majority of observed sheep displayed behaviours commonly perceived as ‘stereotypies’, abnormal behaviours such as head butting or nosing and chewing pen fixtures, pacing and pawing. Sheep would usually graze in a paddock most of the day with their flock; instead, as in other intensive animal industries, in these ‘factory sheds’ their behavioural and social needs are ignored.

In December 2011, The Wool Factory announced that ultra-fine wool was no longer viable, and so they would be ceasing production of ultra-fine wool and selling all their sheep by June 2012. While this is positive news and may reflect a decline in value and interest in ultra-fine wool in Australia, the campaign is not over.

There are reported to be many thousands of sheep kept in similar confinement in Australia -- most in sheds in Victoria. Please help us free these sheep by calling on the Victorian Government to ban all wool production that confines sheep indoors, denying them the ability to graze outdoors with a flock.

Take Action!

Subject: (please enter a subject line) Dear Decision Maker, (please edit the letter below, or send as-is) I recently learned that thousands of sheep are kept in tiny individual pens in sheds in Victoria for the production of so-called 'ultra-fine' wool. These conditions resemble the keeping of sows in sow stalls or hens in battery cages. Investigations and scientific research have documented serious welfare problems such as frustrated sheep chewing on the wooden and metal sides of their pens and repetitive pacing and pawing behaviours. Like in other intensive animal industries, the behavioural and social needs of the sheep, intrinsic factors which provide quality of life, are ignored. These sheep should be free to graze in paddocks rather than being confined in tiny pens for many years. I understand that one of the major producers of ultra-fine wool in Victoria, The Wool Factory, has stated that ultra-fine wool is no longer viable and as such has announced they will be ceasing their wool production by June 2012. I am appalled that such treatment of sheep is allowed in our country and I implore you to immediately ban the keeping of sheep in single pens and all wool production that confines sheep indoors without the freedom to graze outdoors with a flock. Sincerely, Your Name

We will send this e-mail to:

• The Hon Peter Walsh, Victorian Minister for Agriculture
• The Hon Ted Baillieu, Premier of Victoria

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