Fed: Costello - pop star wrong on mulesing

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2006
Fed: Costello - pop star wrong on mulesing

CANBERRA, Dec 20 AAP - Treasurer Peter Costello has criticised US pop star Pink for
joining a campaign against Australian sheep farmers, questioning her knowledge of the
industry.

Pink today joined the US animal rights group People for Ethical Treatment of Animals
(PETA) in calling for a consumer boycott of Australian wool products.

"I don't know if Pink is an expert on the sheep industry," an amused Mr Costello told
reporters in Canberra.

"Pink is entitled to her views but at the end of the day would Australia's farmers
take advice from Pink?"

Pink is the latest in a list of entertainers to be recruited by PETA for its campaign
against Australian sheep farmers over the practice of mulesing, which protects sheep from
the painful and often deadly condition known as fly-strike.

Mr Costello said mulesing, which involves cutting skin away from a sheep's backside,
is a better option than a sheep dying from fly strike.

"Sheep are at risk of being fly blown and dying ... it's not a pretty sight.

"Mulesing is not a pretty sight either but it's a damn sight more humane than letting
a sheep die fly blown in a paddock."

Mr Costello invited Pink to visit Australia and speak with sheep farmers.

The pop star will have a chance to do that when she tours Australia in April.

AAP pv/sb/jt/de

KEYWORD: US PINK COSTELLO

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