PETA president to shortly strike out in accordance with Federal Court timetable

27 Jun '05

2 min read

In a move that's sure to give heart to animal protectionists around the world, but nothing but heartburn to Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) execs, the Federal Court of Australia has said it will hear a further motion to strike out the sixth version of AWI's claim against Ingrid E. Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Newkirk has said that she will shortly lodge the strike out motion in accordance with the timetable set down by the Federal Court.

In addition, although PETA is named as a respondent in the claim, AWI has not yet served PETA with the application, and the Federal Court has required AWI to justify why the Court should permit AWI to do so.

PETA has organised a fast-growing international boycott of Australian merino wool until the Australian wool industry ends the cruel practices of mulesing and live exports.

AWI has tried to stifle PETA's campaign by suing Newkirk under the Trade Practices Act, but although AWI has put up five versions of the claim – initially lodged in November 2004 – the court struck out the fifth version of the claim in its entirety earlier this year and ordered AWI to pay Newkirk's legal fees. This is AWI's sixth version of the claim.

PETA declared an international boycott of Australian wool in October 2004 and has already won the positive response of prestigious US retailers American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, J.Crew, Timberland, Limited Brands and UK-based mega-chains New Look and George, all of which have joined the retailer-led movement to reform the Australian wool industry.

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