Shearing is a welfare necessity for wooled sheep but can itself cause significant welfare harm if done poorly. Evidence-based shearing standards are essential for protecting sheep during this unavoidable procedure.
Shearing occupies a unique welfare space - it is necessary for animal health but can itself cause harm if performed poorly. Sheep during shearing are restrained in positions that may cause musculoskeletal strain; cuts and nicks from poorly maintained equipment cause pain; rough handling during shearing causes fear and acute stress. Commercial shearing speeds incentivize haste over care. Mulesing causes significant acute pain and raises welfare questions even though it prevents the greater suffering of flystrike. The welfare goal for shearing is to make a necessary procedure as low-stress and low-injury as possible through training, equipment standards, and appropriate handling techniques.