The global wool industry raises welfare concerns from shearing practices to post-shearing exposure — with growing consumer and brand pressure driving standards improvement.
Wool shearing is a necessary welfare intervention for domesticated sheep breeds that cannot shed naturally — untreated wool causes heat stress, mobility restriction, and fly strike. However, the shearing process itself can cause significant welfare harm if performed by unskilled workers, under time pressure, or with rough handling. Industry-wide welfare improvement requires skilled shearer training, handling standards, and independent auditing with genuine consequences for violations.