Sheep Welfare in Wool Production

Sheep raised for wool experience welfare problems from mulesing, fly strike, shearing stress, and live export.

Key Facts

Mulesing — removing strips of skin around the tail to prevent fly strike — is practiced in Australia
Certified mulesing-free wool is available and increasingly demanded by retailers
Shearing can cause cuts and stress, particularly in unskilled hands
Millions of sheep are exported live each year from Australia and New Zealand

Welfare Considerations

Sheep welfare in wool production spans a range from high-welfare small farms to intensive systems with significant welfare problems. Mulesing is the most controversial practice — removing skin strips causes acute pain and has only partial justification in fly strike prevention, which can be addressed through alternative methods. Skilled shearing by trained teams minimizes injury and stress. Live export for slaughter subjects sheep to prolonged transport under conditions that cause significant suffering. Consumer demand for mulesing-free, certified-welfare wool is driving industry change.

What You Can Do

Choose wool certified as mulesing-free by verified certification programs
Avoid retailers that cannot verify their wool supply chain
Support bans on live sheep export for slaughter
Advocate for skilled shearing requirements and welfare audit standards in wool supply chains