Mulesing — surgical removal of skin folds around merino sheep breech — is one of the most controversial welfare practices in wool production, and alternatives are increasingly viable.
Mulesing without pain relief causes significant acute suffering and post-operative pain lasting days. Flystrike also causes severe suffering, creating a genuine welfare trade-off that cannot be dismissed. However, the existence of viable alternatives — demonstrated by New Zealand successful industry transition — means mulesing without pain relief is increasingly difficult to justify. Australian industry resistance to change reflects economic inertia and powerful wool lobby interests rather than lack of alternatives. Consumer and retailer pressure for mulesing-free certification has been the most effective driver of change to date.