Sheep Mulesing and Flystrike Prevention

Mulesing — surgically removing skin folds from Merino sheep to prevent flystrike — is a painful practice that is increasingly being replaced by selective breeding and non-surgical alternatives.

Key Facts

Mulesing involves surgically removing strips of wool-bearing skin from around the breech of Merino sheep — performed without anaesthesia in many countries
It was developed to prevent blowfly strike (myiasis) — a devastating condition where blowfly larvae infest moist wool folds, causing severe tissue damage and death
Australia, the world's largest Merino wool producer, still permits mulesing though RSPCA Australia and wool industry bodies push for its end
New Zealand banned mulesing in 2018 — demonstrating it is achievable with appropriate selective breeding programmes
Pain relief during and after mulesing is now required under some certification schemes — a significant welfare improvement
Selective breeding for wrinkle-free, plain-bodied sheep eliminates the anatomical predisposition to flystrike without surgery
Blowfly strike itself causes extreme suffering — maggots can consume 1cm of tissue per hour in severe infestations

Welfare Considerations

Mulesing creates an acute painful wound that takes weeks to heal, performed without anaesthesia on millions of lambs annually. The welfare argument for mulesing has always rested on preventing the potentially greater suffering of flystrike — but this assumes mulesing is the only or best prevention option. Selective breeding for plainer body type, combined with monitoring and timely treatment of at-risk animals, can achieve equivalent or better flystrike protection without the welfare costs of surgery. The transition requires investment in genetic selection programmes and farmer training, but it is achievable — as New Zealand has demonstrated. Consumer pressure for non-mulesed wool has been a powerful driver of industry change.

What You Can Do

Choose wool and wool clothing labelled as non-mulesed or certified by the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
Support PETA, RSPCA Australia, and Four Paws campaigns for the elimination of mulesing through industry commitments
Encourage brands you purchase from to commit to non-mulesed wool sourcing with transparent supply chain verification
Support Merino sheep breeders investing in selective breeding for plain-bodied sheep — this is the long-term solution
Advocate for mandatory pain relief for any mulesing that continues while the transition is underway
Support research into biological control of blowflies and flystrike vaccines — preventive approaches that eliminate the mulesing dilemma entirely
Ask your favourite wool clothing brands about their mulesing policy — consumer enquiries drive corporate action