Why Oregon is trying to ban the sale of kangaroo parts

A bill which would ban the sale of kangaroo parts has been introduced in the US state of Oregon.

The bill aims to target sports apparel manufacturers, including Nike — which is the state’s largest employer — who make sporting products including soccer boots from kangaroo leather.

Director of campaigns at the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action, Scott Beckstead, says the bill comes in response to “serious problems” with how Australia estimates its kangaroo population, and concerns over joey deaths.

Press PLAY below to hear what’s driving the push to ban the sale of kangaroo parts

“It simply says that if these shoe companies are driving the largest commercialised mass slaughter of native wildlife in the world then Oregon wants no part of it,” Mr Beckstead told Ross and Russel.

“We have a tradition in the United States of not allowing for the commmercialised slaughter of wild species.”