Videos (Sheep)
There is a factory farming industry that the vast majority of Australians would be unaware of. Some 'ultra-fine' wool growers keep thousands of sheep in tiny individual pens to supply an elite international market and wealthy buyers from the world's foremost fashion houses.
Ultra-fine wool growing is an intensive animal industry. In fact, one particular facility which opens its doors to the public, is even appropriately called—'The Wool Factory'. And factory it is... Specially bred sheep are kept indoors in individual small pens 24 hours a day for 5 or more years. Nylon coats are worn by the 'shedded' sheep to further ensure that dust and dirt does not enter their fleece, and—like every other factory farming industry—the behavioural and social needs of the sheep, intrinsic factors which provide quality of life, are completely ignored. Some indoor 'ultra fine' facilities house the sheep in groups. But sheep are not designed to be kept indoors and should be grazing most of the day with their flock. A major supporter of Australia's ultra-fine wool industry is leading Italian fashion house, Ermenegildo Zegna. The 'prestige' of winning an Ermenegildo Zegna award is much sought after in wool industry circles. The 'Vellus Aureum Trophy' is awarded by Count Paulo Zegna each year for the 'golden fleece'—the finest micron fleece. Animals Australia Executive Director Glenys Oogjes and Campaign Director Lyn White were 'introduced' to the sheep that grew the 2005 'golden fleece' during a tour of 'The Wool Factory', in Victoria. However, this award-winning sheep had little to celebrate. The impacts of chronic stress caused by an inappropriate environment were obvious. The confined sheep continually chew on the wooden slats and strands of wire which enclose them. Repetitive body movements were also observed—classic stereotypic behaviours caused by a barren environment, combined with the inability to exercise, or to perform simple natural behaviours such as graze on grass. |
Findings from a 2009 scientific study at the Wool Factory are in line with the evidence from our 2004 investigation. The study 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.
New footage from 2011 showed that a further shed had been added to the Wool Factory complex, increasing the number of pens to almost 2,000. The footage confirmed that conditions for the animals had not improved since our 2004 investigation. Possibly the biggest motivator for the single pens is to control feed intake. Sheep used to produce ultra fine wool are fed considerably less than their outdoor counterparts. This is because sheep with a lower body condition (ie. underweight) produce finer fleece. It's highly probable that on top of all the other cruelties inflicted on them these sheep are also kept in a constant state of hunger. Suggestions that these animals are 'better off' living in such confinement—as they are sheltered and have a daily food source—is a desperate defence from those who know they are denying these animals every behavioural need that provides any enrichment in their lives, on the basis of profit. There appears little doubt that the welfare issues witnessed at 'The Wool Factory' would be replicated at other private 'ultra-fine' facilities, where sheep are also individually penned. The sheep Code of Practice states that animals that are unable to adapt to the indoor confinement should be returned to grazing. Clearly from the evidence gathered at The Wool Factory, this is not occurring. If operators are not complying with the Code of Practice they could be prosecuted for cruelty under state animal welfare laws. Unfortunately, proving cruelty is difficult and expensive, and to date this practice has not been challenged in the courts. |
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