Welfare of Sheep Used for Wool | Animal Welfare Hub

Wool production involves welfare considerations at shearing, mulesing, and transport, with significant variation in practices between producers and regions.

Key Facts

Australia produces approximately 25% of global wool supply
Mulesing — removing skin folds from merino sheep hindquarters — is still practiced on around 30% of Australian flocks
Shearing done quickly under commercial pressure can cause cuts and abrasions
Non-mulesed alternatives including breeder selection and clip-on plastic attachments are now commercially viable
Responsible Wool Standard certification audits animal welfare throughout the supply chain

Welfare Considerations

Wool production welfare focuses most controversially on mulesing, but shearing practices and transport also matter. Mulesing causes acute pain — the procedure involves cutting skin without anesthesia — though producers argue it prevents worse suffering from flystrike. Non-mulesing alternatives have improved significantly and some major retailers have committed to mulesed-free supply chains. Shearing stress from rushed, rough handling is a less-discussed but widespread welfare concern.

What You Can Do

Choose RWS-certified wool products from brands with mulesed-free sourcing commitments
Support campaigns for mandatory pain relief during mulesing where still practiced
Reduce wool consumption or substitute plant-based or recycled synthetic alternatives
Ask your favorite clothing brands about their wool welfare sourcing policies