Wool Week - why a woolly jumper is just as cruel as a fur coat.

This week marks the beginning of 'The Campaign for Wool’s Wool Week', an annual event that includes pop up stands, presentations and exhibitions that aim to ‘inspire & promote the benefits of wool’ to consumers. Since its launch in 2010, The Campaign for Wool is said to have ‘influenced a new demand for wool on an international scale’ however we wonder if this new-found demand would support the manufacturing of wool if they knew the harsh reality.

These days, you don’t usually need to explain to people that wearing fur is morally wrong. However, many still don’t make the same connection when it comes to their favourite woollen jumper. To help you understand, we are going to give you a little more information about the brutality of the wool industry that will hopefully encourage you to think before you buy.

The first thing to be aware of is that Sheep Shearers are usually paid in volume, so in order to make good money, they have to move extremely quickly. This means that the sheep are handled aggressively and sheared with little to no care. PETA investigated a number of shearing sheds in both America and Australia and uncovered horrific cases of animal abuse. Sheep were taunted, kicked, hit in the face and stomped on leaving them bloody and bruised. British sheep are also no strangers to this cruelty. Another investigation carried out on 25 English Sheep Farms reported animal abuse within every single location. In the UK, the production of wool also allows for lambs to be castrated as well as having their tails cut off with no pain relief.

On top of this, the wool industry is not only affecting the animals but it is also causing great damage to the environment. According to another investigation carried out by PETA “In New Zealand, methane emissions from enteric fermentation, coming mostly from sheep, make up more than 90 per cent of the nation’s greenhouse-gas emissions.” 

The reality is that the wool industry is just as cruel as fur and leather and as harmful to the planet as the meat and dairy industry. 

Now, don't be too hard on yourself if you do own a woolly hat and matching glove set. We are all constantly learning every day about where our resources come from. What matters now is what you decide to do with this information. 

You may also be worried about what you will wear to keep warm as the months get colder but we can assure you that the abundance of humane and ethically sourced materials available makes the purchase and demand for wool completely unnecessary. If you are looking for some help sourcing a new, cruelty-free winter wardrobe, TheVeganKind offers a range of ethical clothing on our online Supermarket!

If Wool Week ‘inspires & promotes’ anything, we hope it is for people to start making the connection, saying no to wool and yes to sourcing ethical fashion alternatives.

TVK supports the fight against wool and we hope you join us!