Yorkshire’s Australian coach Jason Gillespie has risked the wrath of his English county’s sponsors by claiming the “disgusting” dairy industry should be shut down.
Yorkshire are sponsored by Wensleydale Creamery, but that hasn’t dissuaded Gillespie, who is a vegan, from revealing his opposition to the business.
The 41-year-old former Australia pace bowler, who has led his team to two County Championship titles, made it clear he is prepared to stand by his opinions in an interview with the Yorkshire Post on Tuesday.
Asked about any possible conflict with the company whose logo appears on Yorkshire’s shirts, he said: “Yes, they are a sponsor. But it doesn’t mean I agree with what they do.
“My wife and I often talk about it, because she’s vegan as well.
“I feel like I’m looking through eyes without blinkers on. We treat animals like s**t, we really do - and in my opinion there’s no justification for that.
“It’s cruel and it’s speciesism at its very worst and I don’t want to be part of it.
“I hope one day the dairy industry can be shut down.
{{/usCountry}}“I hope one day the dairy industry can be shut down.
{{/usCountry}}“I think it’s disgusting and wrong on so many levels.”
As for Yorkshire’s shirt deal, he added: “It’s out of my control, just like the fact that cricket balls are made of leather.
“I’ll have it out with people, I don’t care. There’s nothing wrong with standing up for what you believe in.”
Responding to Gillespie’s remarks, a spokesman for Wensleydale Creamery said: “That’s a very bold statement, and I need to understand a bit more about what he’s actually trying to say there.
“We are very proud sponsors. Our milk comes from over 40 local farms with very high standards of welfare.”