Morrissey pens letter to Aus retailer The Just Group

Before his visit to Sydney for Vivid Live, Morrissey is actively speaking up on Australian animal rights issues.

The Irish-born artist (The Smiths, The Nosebleeds, Slaughter & The Dogs) has penned a letter to Australian retailer The Just Group requesting it stop selling angora rabbit wool at its six fashion stores.

Having already banned meat products from being sold at the Sydney Opera House during his four shows between May 26 and 31, and having ordered for only vegetarian food to be served backstage, Morrissey has now called out the retailer giant behind Peter Alexander, Jacqui E, Just Jeans, Dotti, Portmans and Jay Jays.

In a letter sent to The Just Group and provided by PETA Australia, Morrissey, a non-meat eater since the age of 11, said: “I'm looking forward to my concerts at the Sydney Opera House in May, but I was extremely dismayed to learn from my friends at PETA Australia that The Just Group refuse to modernise and drop angora wool from their clothing lines.

“By selling angora wool, you're sending the message to millions of shoppers that your company condone the barbaric abuse and slaughter of rabbits and are willing to perpetuate it.”

Should The Just Group refuse to drop angora from its products Morrissey has said he will post petitions for concertgoers to sign at information booths throughout the Opera House during his visit. Although TMN has sought comment from The Just Group and not heard back as yet, PETA did receive this response: “Although we are not able to join the pledge sought, I want to thank you for your interest in our group.”

In 2002 on his second ever visit to Australia, Morrissey spoke in Melbourne on behalf of PETA, who were investigating the treatment of baby elephants in Thailand. He called for Australians to boycott the country until the abusive training of elephants was outlawed. PETA is still campaigning to stop the unethical treatment of elephants in Thailand.

Morrissey’s involvement with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) dates back to the ‘80s when the organisation had a staff of just 12.

Retailers with Australian stores including Zara, H&M, Jeanswest, David Jones, Myer, Sportsgirl, Aurelio Costarella, George Wu, Carly Hunter, Paolo Sebastian, Alexi Freeman, Natasha Gan and General Pants have all pledged not to use Angora.

Morrissey, who titled his second polemic LP with The Smiths Meat Is Murder (1985), was last in Australia in 2012, when he sold out his show at the Opera House.