Australia under fire for lobbying on California kangaroo trade
Source: Reuters
The Australian government is under fire for lobbying the California legislature to stop a ban on the sale of kangaroo products in the U.S. state, a restriction the industry argues would cripple exports of the marsupials' meat and leather.
The California senate will vote on Thursday on a bill to extend a moratorium indefinitely on the sale of kangaroo products like premier league baseball mitts and fire retardant gloves favored by U.S. firefighters.
Powerful animal rights and democracy lobbyists in California are angry about the way the bill was introduced this week via the backdoor, just days before the end of the current legislative session, following extensive Australian government lobbying and financial aid.
The A$200 million ($140 million) trade of kangaroo skin and meat is an emotive issue. The Australian native graces the country's coat of arms and is a major tourism draw, making it a high profile target for animal rights activists who oppose commercial killing.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/03/us-australia-usa-kangaroo-exports-idINKCN0R30D720150903
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