Farm Animals

Sheep Mulesing and Alternatives

Mulesing — the surgical removal of skin folds from merino sheep — causes significant pain while being used to prevent blowfly strike.

Key Facts

Mulesing is practiced primarily in Australia on Merino sheep
It is performed without anesthetic on lambs and causes lasting pain
Alternatives include selective breeding for plain-bodied sheep and biological controls
Major fashion brands have committed to phase out mulesed wool by various dates

Welfare Considerations

Mulesing causes acute and prolonged pain to prevent a welfare problem (flystrike). Surgical removal of wrinkled skin around the breech creates a wound that takes weeks to heal. Effective alternatives exist — plain-bodied breeding programs have been commercially successful in New Zealand. Industry resistance in Australia reflects economic inertia rather than genuine necessity.

What You Can Do

Choose non-mulesed or RWS-certified wool products
Support fashion brands that have committed to mulesing-free wool
Advocate for mandatory phase-out of mulesing in Australian wool production
Support CSIRO and industry research into non-mulesing flystrike prevention