Farm Animals

Welfare of Animals in the Wool Industry

The global wool industry involves animal welfare concerns ranging from mulesing in Australia to shearing practices that can cause injury and acute stress.

Key Facts

Over 1 billion sheep are shorn annually worldwide
Speed-based pay structures incentivize rough handling during commercial shearing
Sheep experience acute stress during shearing, shown by elevated cortisol
Cuts and injuries during shearing are common in high-throughput operations
Responsible Wool Standard certification covers land management and shearing practice

Welfare Considerations

Wool production involves a moment of high welfare risk at shearing: a prey animal is physically restrained in an unusual position by unfamiliar humans using loud equipment. Pay-per-sheep shearing incentives create pressure to work fast, reducing care. Independent audits of commercial shearing show routine rough handling that is inconsistent with the animal's welfare needs. Certified wool standards exist and provide a welfare-positive alternative.

What You Can Do

Choose Responsible Wool Standard or ZQ certified wool products
Avoid non-mulesed labeling alone — look for standards covering shearing practice too
Support campaigns against speed-based pay structures in commercial shearing
Reduce wool consumption and explore plant-based textile alternatives