Sheep Mulesing Phase-Out Progress

Mulesing — surgical removal of skin around the breech area of Merino sheep — is a painful procedure whose welfare costs are driving industry-led phase-out efforts.

Key Facts

Mulesing involves cutting skin without anesthesia to prevent flystrike in Merino sheep
The procedure is performed on millions of sheep annually in Australia
Major wool brands including Loro Piana and many others have committed to mulesing-free wool
Alternatives including Clips, adhesive breech covers, and genetic selection are proven effective
New Zealand voluntarily ended mulesing in 2018

Welfare Considerations

Mulesing causes acute and prolonged pain in sheep. The procedure is performed on young lambs without anesthesia in most cases, involves significant tissue damage, and the wound heals slowly. The welfare argument against mulesing is clear: it is a painful procedure designed to solve a problem — flystrike — that can be addressed through other means. The availability of alternatives and the commercial pressure from welfare-conscious brands makes the business case for phase-out increasingly compelling.

What You Can Do

Choose wool products certified as mulesing-free
Ask wool brands about their mulesing-free sourcing commitments
Support campaigns that maintain commercial pressure for mulesing phase-out
Advocate for mandatory pain relief as a minimum standard where mulesing continues
Support genetic selection programs that reduce mulesing necessity through improved sheep breeds