2004 News
What do the experts say about mulesing?
What does the Australian Veterinary Association say?
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) says that claims by animal liberation groups that the animal husbandry practice of mulesing sheep are cruel do not consider that the alternative is a painful infection known as 'blowfly strike' caused by maggots eating the live flesh of sheep and resulting in extreme pain and distress for the animal. Untreated animals generally die.
AVA National President, Dr Norm Blackman says the AVA considers the practice of mulesing as a necessary sheep husbandry procedure to prevent blowfly strike provided the operation is performed by skilled operators and on animals that are less than 12 months old.
"I want to emphasise that while the AVA acknowledges the need for this practice we strongly support continued research into alternative methods of blowfly control that do not require the current surgical methods," says Dr Blackman.
"AVA policy makes it quite clear that the mulesing practice is necessary from a welfare perspective until science has developed more suitable methods for managing blowfly strike in sheep."
Blowfly strike is a common form of fly strike in weaner sheep and ewes. It is caused by blowflies laying eggs on the skin of the sheep and when they hatch the maggots feed off the skin of the sheep. This can result in the death of the sheep.
"The AVA is supportive of research that provides alternative methods of controlling blowfly strike and has positive health and welfare benefits for the sheep," says Dr Blackman.
"Banning Australian produced wool because of an animal husbandry practice performed to alleviate further suffering is inappropriate and not in the interests of the animals," says Dr Blackman.
"Sometimes we need to tolerate a certain way of doing things until a better solution is found."
What does the Australian Government vet expert say?
The Australian Chief Veterinary Officer believes mulesing is a necessary practice to prevent animals dying a most uncomfortable death from blowfly strike. He is pleased that the industry seeks to phase out the practice by 2010 and looks forward to working with industry on R & D priorities and other management practices to achieve this objective.
Australia has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and is a significant participant in the development of international animal welfare guiding principles.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (Office International des Èpizooties - OIE) is the key body that sets animal health standards under the World Trade Organization (WTO).
OIE is developing international guidelines for animal welfare that will apply to all 167 Member countries.
The Australian government has provided a number of animal welfare experts to the OIE committees that are developing guiding animal welfare principles for transport of animals by sea, land transport of animals, the slaughter of animals for human consumption and humane killing of animals for disease control purposes.
More information:
- The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd is the national organisation representing and serving the interests of the veterinary profession in Australia. Founded in 1921, the AVA today represents approximately 5,000 members. Its mission is to provide support, identity, fellowship, direction and growth to members; expert advice and service to governments; and services to the community. Visit www.ava.com.au/ for more
- The Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer (OCVO) is part of the Animal & Plant Health area within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The OCVO deals with international animal disease coordination, emergency disease response and preparedness, endemic animal disease programs, aquatic animal health, and animal health science. Visit www.affa.gov.au/ for more.
- Mulesing - this site's main mulesing resource.