Parasitology and Welfare

Blowflies and Wound Management in Sheep

Flystrike — blowfly larvae infesting living sheep — causes extreme suffering and is a major welfare challenge in wool production.

Key Facts

Blowfly strike (myiasis) affects up to 3 million sheep per year in Australia alone
Larvae can cause severe tissue damage and death within 24 hours if untreated
Merino sheep bred for excessive wool are at higher risk due to skin folds that trap moisture
Chemical preventatives have raised concerns about resistance and environmental contamination
Mulesing — a surgical procedure to prevent flystrike — itself causes significant pain

Welfare Considerations

Flystrike causes intense suffering; larvae release ammonia and digestive enzymes that destroy tissue while the animal is alive. Both prevention and treatment involve welfare trade-offs. Selective breeding away from excessive skin folds offers the most humane long-term solution.

What You Can Do

Support Merino breeding programs that reduce skin folds without mulesing
Buy wool products certified under the Responsible Wool Standard or ZQRX
Advocate for pain relief as mandatory when any surgical prevention is used