The Australian Government has blasted Pink’s claims that the country’s wool should be boycotted because of its “sadistic” practices.
Pink has said the practice of cutting flesh from a lambs’ rear ends without anaesthetic was “sadistic” in a video she made for pressure group People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA).
But the country’s Treasurer Peter Costello says the practice, called mulesing, is humane as it stops sheep dying from maggot infestations.
"Pink is entitled to her views but at the end of the day would Australia's farmers take advice from Pink?" he said.
"Sheep are at risk of being fly-blown and dying... it's not a pretty sight," he said. "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."
In the short film Pink made for PETA’s website, the pop star says: “I am calling on consumers to check labels on sweaters before buying them, and if they're merino wool or made in Australia, to leave them on the racks."
PETA blast the mulesing practice, saying that alternatives are available.
