Mulesing, the surgical removal of wool-bearing skin around the breech of Merino sheep to prevent blowfly strike, is a painful procedure that is practiced without analgesics in many countries despite available alternatives.
Mulesing welfare represents a painful trade-off: an acutely painful procedure performed to prevent a chronically painful condition. The case for pain relief during and after mulesing, as with all surgical procedures, is clear and requires no further evidence. The case for eliminating mulesing through alternative approaches is more complex, requiring genetic transition timelines and management practice changes that take years to implement at scale. Consumer and retailer pressure in Europe and North America has driven Australian wool industry commitments to transition away from mulesing, though progress has been slower than initial commitments suggested. Pain relief adoption can occur immediately; mulesing elimination requires a longer timeline.