Animal rights group PETA has called on the organisers of the iconic Tetbury Woolsack Races to replace their traditional wool-filled sacks with vegan-friendly materials. The suggestion comes ahead of the annual races scheduled for Monday, May 26, as part of PETA’s campaign to modernize the centuries-old event and end animal suffering.
In a formal letter, PETA appeals to race organisers to adopt plant-based sacks, emphasizing the cruel treatment sheep endure in the wool industry. To support this change, PETA has offered to help cover the cost of the new vegan sacks. Yvonne Taylor, PETA’s vice president of corporate projects, stated, “Each wool sack represents the suffering of sheep who are often mistreated and left bloody after shearing. We want to help make these races cruelty-free by switching to vegan alternatives.”
PETA also suggested renaming the event the “Tetbury Plant-Woolsack Races” to reflect the new ethical direction of the tradition. The races involve competitors carrying heavy sacks up Gumstool Hill, Tetbury’s steepest street, a practice that has been part of the town’s heritage for hundreds of years.
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In response, British Wool defended the current practice, asserting their wool comes from sustainable farms where shearing is a humane and necessary process. A spokesperson said, “Sheep produce between 1 and 3 kilograms of wool annually, which must be removed to ensure their health and comfort. Shearing is quick, painless, and conducted by skilled professionals committed to animal welfare.”
PETA counters that global investigations reveal frequent mistreatment of sheep in the wool industry, including physical abuse and neglect due to shearers being incentivized by volume rather than animal care. The organisation also highlights the environmental impact, noting that sheep are significant methane emitters—second only to cattle—and that wool production contributes to soil erosion and desertification.
As the debate continues, PETA’s push for cruelty-free, vegan sacks aims to reshape a beloved tradition with animal welfare and environmental sustainability at its core.