Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Mulesing Alternatives Progress 2026

Mulesing - surgical removal of wool-bearing skin around the breech - is a painful procedure increasingly being replaced by effective alternatives.

Key Facts

Mulesing causes acute pain for days to weeks after the procedure
Australia still mulesed approximately 50% of lambs in 2024, down from near-universal practice
Targeted selective breeding for plain-bodied, cast-resistant breeds is the most durable alternative
Chemical and biological flystrike prevention reduce the need for mulesing
Retailers are increasingly requiring mulesing-free wool from supply chains

Welfare Considerations

Mulesing causes real, sustained pain in millions of lambs annually. Alternatives exist and are being adopted at scale. Consumer and retailer pressure, combined with breeding programmes, is driving meaningful change in this significant welfare issue.

What You Can Do

Choose wool products certified as mulesing-free when available
Support brands that have committed to mulesing-free wool supply chains
Engage with wool certification schemes that mandate alternative flystrike prevention