Wool production involves shearing and husbandry practices that affect sheep welfare. Responsible wool production can meet high welfare standards but enforcement of those standards varies.
Wool production welfare depends primarily on shearing technique, handling quality, and mulesing practices. Skilled shearers who handle sheep calmly cause significantly less stress and injury than poor shearing practices. Mulesing causes unnecessary pain and is being phased out by welfare-progressive producers using alternative fly strike prevention methods. Consumer demand for certified welfare wool drives adoption of better practices.