“As a responsible retailer, the ALDI SÜD group of companies is committed to higher animal welfare standards in all of its supply chains. We unequivocally condemn animal cruelty and value the health and welfare of animals. While our national animal welfare policy focuses on various market-specific goals and measures, the ALDI SOUTH group of companies does not allow mulesing at an international level. For merino wool products, we contractually exclude mulesing with our suppliers,» said a company spokeswoman for ALDI SOUTH.
Customers no longer want to consume cruelty-free animal products. In the meantime, numerous brands have also reacted and only use certified merino wool. The ‘Brand Letter of Intent’ sends a signal to the Australian wool industry and puts pressure on them to finally end animal suffering.
Over 80 percent of wool exports and even 90 percent of the popular fine merino wool used for the global fashion industry come from Australia – the only country in the world where mulesing is still practiced. Large strips of skin are cut out of the back of lambs that are a few weeks old, with great pain and usually without anesthesia – this is to prevent infestation with blowflies. There have long been alternatives: such as sheep breeds that are more resistant to parasites than the overbred Merino sheep. Fashion brands and retailers need to send clear signals to the sheep’s wool industry and their intention to only buy non-mulesing wool in the future. Only then will the sheep’s wool industry have the economic security to avoid mulesing in production and to offer mulesing-free wool.
However, consumers can also take action by explicitly asking brands and using reliable certifications as a guide when buying clothing. Only certified merino wool can prevent 100 percent mulesing. When buying merino wool, customers should look for the RWS, Nativa™ or ZQ Merino seals. If your favorite brand does not have any certified products, recommends writing to the brands and drawing attention to the issue. In the meantime, more than 350 brands have publicly positioned themselves against mulesing.
You can find more information on the topic here.
You can find more information about the Brand Letter of Intent here.