WIMMERA shearers have slammed a confronting new Horsham billboard, labelling it offensive and unfair.
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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals placed the billboard on Dooen Road, this week, calling on people to report drug and animal abuse in shearing sheds.
The group said the advertisement came after four Wimmera shearers pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges in Horsham Magistrate’s Court in February.
The shearers did not face any drug charges. They will be sentenced in Horsham Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Nurrabiel shearing contractor Jamie Tippet said the billboard was unfair and insinuated all shearers were ice addicts.
“How it got past council I don’t know,” he said. “A lot of people have taken offence to this. It’s directly pointed at shearers and the farmers that employ them. It makes accusations that aren’t true, drugs had nothing to do with the animal cruelty court case.”
Mr Tippet hoped the billboard would be taken down. He said it was hindering the industry’s ability to move forward.
“I don’t condone animal cruelty and a lot has been done in the industry to change the mindset of people,” he said. “We are moving forward, but this group is trying to peg us back. They don’t care and it’s insulting.”
Murtoa shearer Tom McGrath said the billboard was unnecessary and drug issues were widespread, not just confined to the wool shed.
“People behaving in a manner that is unacceptable in the shearing shed have always been dealt with accordingly and lose the privilege to work in our great industry,” he said.
PETA campaigns associate director Ashley Fruno said people and animals were both at risk when farm workers were under the influence of drugs.
"Shearers in Horsham and across the country can help sheep by bringing to light the dangerous behaviour which appears to be widespread throughout Australian sheds,” she said.
Balmoral Liberal Party delegate and wool producer Robert Lawrence said drug use was a top three issue facing the wool industry.