The European Union is partly responsible for the largest commercial slaughter of wild animals. Every year, two million kangaroos are slaughtered in Australia for their skin and meat simply because there is a “need” for them. Unnecessary, according to the majority of Australians.
Kangaroo leather is used in Europe to produce football boots, motorcycle suits and other luxury fashion products. In addition, the meat of these animals is sold in European supermarkets and restaurants, and the remains are used in pet food.
2 million kangaroos
The European Union therefore plays an important role in the mass slaughter of two million kangaroos, including baby kangaroos. Nonprofits and Australians think it’s time to stop. EU policy has a major impact on animals and people beyond its borders.
Research: Australians don’t want this
Australians want to protect these kangaroos, a new poll shows. 98% of Australians say this is important for the ecosystem, while 64% believe Australians really need to take a stand against the commercial killing of kangaroos.
A number of major companies (including Nike and Puma) have also seen this problem and moved away from using kangaroo products. These companies – which had previously contributed to this massacre – announced that they would use synthetic materials instead of kangaroo skin.
Adidas has called for the company to stop using kangaroo leather
Hopefully fewer kangaroos will be slaughtered
“This is a good development, because the trade in these animals is poorly regulated,” says Manuela Ripa of the European Parliament.
“This trade is endangering kangaroo populations, and the brutal fate of countless healthy baby kangaroos is nothing short of barbaric.”
“The Australian government is failing to protect our kangaroos from the legal wildlife trade, but this new national survey shows Australians really care,” she added.
Founder of Kangaroo Survival Positive
Mick McIntyre, founder of the non-profit organization Kangaroos Alive (which conducted this survey among Australians), hopes the end to the slaughter of two million kangaroos is in sight following agreements between the European Union and Australia.
“The EU and Australia are approaching the end of negotiations on a free trade agreement and both sides expect to conclude the discussions quickly.”
“It is therefore important that partners use these final stages to include ambitious animal welfare provisions in the agreement and put an end to cruel trade,” McIntyre said. The editors do not know when these negotiations will end.
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