BBC: The Australian government has challenged US pop star Pink's campaign to boycott the country's wool. Pink said the practice of "mulesing", or cutting flesh from lambs' rear ends without anaesthetic, was "sadistic". But Australian Treasurer Peter Costello said the practice stopped sheep dying of maggot infestations and was humane. He questioned Pink's expertise, saying: "Pink is entitled to her views but at the end of the day would Australia's farmers take advice from Pink?" Costello said that that mulesing was a better option than leaving sheep to die. "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." Pink claims that Australian sheep farmers are cruel in a video she's made for pressure group People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (Peta). The mini-film on the Peta website features lambs undergoing mulesing, which is illegal in the UK. Pink also condemns live sheep exports from Australia to the Middle East and Asia. The singer 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."
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