Morrissey to Uniqlo: 'Mulesing Is Misery'

Wendy / PETA.org writes:

I thought you might be interested in the letter that Morrissey has just fired off on PETA Asia's behalf to Tokyo-based international clothing retailer Uniqlo. As you can see from the letter below, Moz—who finished up his Japanese tour today—is asking Uniqlo to follow the lead of H&M, Gap Inc., Abercrombie & Fitch, and the other companies who have moved away from using wool from Australian farmers who mutilate sheep in a practice called "mulesing," in which large chunks of skin and flesh are cut from lambs' backsides in a crude, cruel, and ineffective attempt to prevent maggot infestation.

"Years ago, I wrote a song called 'Meat Is Murder', and today I'm tempted to write a follow-up called 'Mulesing Is Misery,'" writes Morrissey. "Australia [is] the only country in the world that still clings to this cruel and barbaric abomination. Won't you please join the many international companies that have implemented a ban on wool from mulesed lambs?"

Morrissey's letter follows and is also available here.



Tadashi Yanai
President
Fast Retailing
[email protected]

Dear Mr Yanai,

On behalf of my friends at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia, I am writing to ask you to put an end to Uniqlo's use of wool from Australian farmers who persist in mutilating sheep using a technique called "mulesing" in order to prevent a maggot infestation known as "flystrike". Flystrike-prevention methods that don't involve maiming animals are available and in use by some sheep farmers.

Years ago, I wrote a song called "Meat Is Murder", and today I'm tempted to write a follow-up called "Mulesing Is Misery". Shears are used to cut huge chunks of skin and flesh from lambs' backsides with little to no painkillers. The idea is to create a smooth scar that will not collect urine and faeces, which attract flies, but the gaping, bloody wounds often become infested with maggots before they have time to heal. Moreover, humane options do exist, and a number of Australian wool farmers have already stopped mulesing and instead have simply improved their husbandry practices, including crutching and jetting more frequently, closely monitoring sheep during fly season and breeding bare-breech sheep. New Zealand farmers did away with mulesing nearly a decade ago, leaving Australia as the only country in the world that still clings to this cruel and barbaric abomination.

Won't you please join the many international companies that have implemented a ban on wool from mulesed lambs? China's Sunshine Group, which is Australia's largest wool buyer, has demanded that Australian wool growers put an end to mulesing, citing increasing requests from clients that it provide products made from the wool of sheep who weren't mulesed.

I hope to hear from you soon that Uniqlo will buy wool only from farmers who have stopped mutilating sheep altogether.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Morrissey




morrissey_to_uniqlo_japan_april_2012.jpg
 
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There are still some stances of his we can be proud about.


has anyone been arsed reading his last pile of bollock? He must be the most boring twat known to man Talkk abut self servin


whats the next date? oh ye who invade that place?



irene
 
I just printed it on an iron transfer and I am now wearing the coolest t-shirt. (not Uniqlo, by the way). Viva Morrissey!!.
 
The size of the signature is insane. Messiah complex. Shouldn't be surprised.
 
It might be interesting (but probably not) to note that "Rachel" means Ewe or lamb in Hebrew. After much suffering Rachel birthed a son who lead Israel from exile to nationhood, she is in essence like a mother to Israel who Morrissey seems to have identified with, it would make sense it would be dear to his heart to protect her namesake from suffering as well. Also if you flip the "b" in "lamb" upside-down it makes the word "lamp" which we all know never goes out.

Okay I'll shut up already.
 
I wonder why he didn't take the show to China and Taiwan. I guess no viable offers from promoters. brummieboy

It isn't easy for any band to get into China to tour. Ever. Unless they're from China. I believe it has something to do with their government censoring song titles, etc. I could be wrong, but that's what I've heard. I think just getting through customs would send Morrissey into a mild frenzy.

Anyway...I'm glad he wrote this and I hope they consider his thoughts. I don't like wool very much; it makes me itch. But I wasn't aware of such a practice. It's so sad what animals must go through just for human pleasures. I think I'll just start wearing mesh shoes and paper sacks...recycled, of course.
 
It isn't easy for any band to get into China to tour. Ever. Unless they're from China. I believe it has something to do with their government censoring song titles, etc. I could be wrong, but that's what I've heard. I think just getting through customs would send Morrissey into a mild frenzy.

Haha! Still, after surviving Israeli airport security, the toughest in the world, he should be able to manage any digs they make at him. Almost.

Anyway...I'm glad he wrote this and I hope they consider his thoughts. I don't like wool very much; it makes me itch. But I wasn't aware of such a practice. It's so sad what animals must go through just for human pleasures. I think I'll just start wearing mesh shoes and paper sacks...recycled, of course.
:lbf::sweet:
 
"Write a follow-up to Meat is murder"? Yeah, as if he could... It's almost ten years we are waiting for a decent follow-up to something.
 
Press Release email from PETA about UNIQLO'S new policy on cruelty-free wool:

We're very happy to tell you that UNIQLO (the world's fifth largest retailer) has given us assurance that the company has begun to phase out wool from farmers who practice the cruel "mulesing" mutilation. Activists like YOU made this happen! Sincere thanks from PETA to everyone who wrote to UNIQLO, confronted the company on Facebook, or attended a leafleting session or protest.

In mulesing, farmers force sheep onto their backs and use instruments resembling gardening shears to cut skin and flesh from their backsides - often without any painkillers - in a crude attempt to prevent flystrike (a maggot infestation that can occur when flies lay their eggs in the folds of the sheep's skin). Many Australian farmers already use humane flystrike control methods, and other wool-producing countries do not practice mulesing.

UNIQLO now joins other compassionate retailers — including Gap Inc., Muji, Topshop, H&M, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Next — in taking action against mulesing.
 
Someone's already mentioned this in another thread, but Morrissey's stance on animal rights is highly cherry-picked. He wouldn't tour any country period if he really gave a damn.


No need to tell him. He reads his site lock, stock and barrel. Hence the, "F- So- Low", shirts. Boycott seal made products if it means that much. Enough said.
Agreed that he can't afford to, " offend", mexicans. What, with the child- kidnapping rings, drug cartels, bull-fights, 40,000 murders on their boarder, killing of the Chiapas Indians by Mexican military. On and on we could go with that one. None of that matters a titter to him. "Money Changes Everything" Absolutely!


Don't they sell children for sex in Jakarta and kill sharks and dolphins in Japan? I think as a Canadian morrissey doesn't really like to play here. Either way his music is way more important to me rather than his beliefs or possible publicity schemes.

I'm with you 100%, telly.
 
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Someone's already mentioned this in another thread, but Morrissey's stance on animal rights is highly cherry-picked. He wouldn't tour any country period if he really gave a damn.


I always thought his boycotting of certain countries ran in conjunction to and in support with PETA campaigns. Is that not the case?
 
Probably because as much as he whines about the Queen and fox hunting and bear fur being used for hats, he wouldn't dare boycott the United Kingdom because he needs the money.

But, and I know this isn't a new comment for me , isn't the criticism of Moz for this mulesing bit ( and the Canadian boycott) just false absolutism ? Isn't it better that he speaks out /takes a principled stance somewhere rather than nowhere ?

You're right ; it is probably hypocritical for him not to boycott any number of other places on the basis of their human/animal rights record. I suppose I think that hypocrisy is an improvement on complete ( and consistent) indifference .
 
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But he *is* inconsistent.

He's played Argentina. They consume more beef than the entire US of A.

Alas, I do not agree with his politics in the least. I am not about to turn this into a carnivore/vegetarian argument!

It's a funny thing, being a Morrissey fan. His opinions are maddening, but I love his music regardless of his beliefs.
 
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But, and I know this isn't a new comment for me , isn't the criticism of Moz for this mulesing bit ( and the Canadian boycott) just false absolutism ? Isn't it better that he speaks out /takes a principled stance somewhere rather than nowhere ?

You're right ; it is probably hypocritical for him not to boycott any number of other places on the basis of their human/animal rights record. I suppose I think that hypocrisy is an improvement on complete ( and consistent) indifference .

No. It isn't better. He's only hurting his remaining fanbase by ostracizing a few for what all are guilty of. As I said earlier, he doesn't boycott the countries that give him the most money.
 
No. It isn't better. He's only hurting his remaining fanbase by ostracizing a few for what all are guilty of. As I said earlier, he doesn't boycott the countries that give him the most money.

I'd argue that, in real terms, he isn't hurting his fanbase. From what I've read in the "Tour" threads, there are a number of shows scheduled quite close to the Canadian border . I presume Moz won't be checking passports at the door. This seems to me a lovely compromise - the state itself wears his wrath while Canadian fans are still able to attend shows (relatively) close to home.

Hmm, following the Davidt ban incident , maybe Moz will be checking IDs ... ? Maybe everyone should show up wearing Davidt masks, much like the Fawkes face in "V for Vendetta" ?
 

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