2008 News

An open letter from Australian Wool Innovation Chairman

23 May 2008

Australia prides itself on operating to world’s best practice in animal husbandry and welfare. The Australian wool industry cares for its sheep, and this is critical to the long term success of our industry.

This is underpinned by the Australian Government through the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy and the national codes of practice for the welfare of animals. Additionally, the principles and practices of Corporate Social Responsibility are actively upheld throughout the supply chain from the farm to the customer.

To deliver on the wool industry’s commitment to phasing out the practice of mulesing, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) continues to invest in research programs on behalf of the industry which cover breeding and selection, genomics and a suite of other technologies which are in various stages of adoption.

AWI has spent nearly $A14 million in alternatives to mulesing and associated animal welfare programs and is forecast to spend a further $A10.09 million over the next three years. We are investing $A15 million in sheep genomics, $A10.5 million in breeding, selection and genomic research and other sheep development programs through the CRC for Sheep Industry Innovation. A further $A3 million is being invested in applied genetics over the next three years.

Importantly, there is no one solution for all woolgrowers and each grower must identify those options that best suit their environment. This is actively underway, as evidenced by the results of the Department of Agriculture Western Australia Survey which show that:

  • 32% of Australian lambs will not be mulesed in 2008.
  • 23% of Australian properties do not intend to mules in 2008.
  • 11.5% of the wool clip will be from non-mulesed animals.
  • 14.8% of woolgrowers are actively seeking sheep with genetic characteristics for bare breech.

There is now a rapidly developing market in Australia for non-mulesed wool and a special sale of this wool will be conducted soon. Moreover, a certification system to identify mulesed and non-mulesed wool is being developed and supported by the Australian Wool Exchange.

Accordingly, we believe the progress made by woolgrowers and the whole wool industry is exceptional and meets the obligation we have made to international retailers. We will not compromise our ongoing progress and the risk of an increased number of sheep being exposed to the pain and suffering associated with flystrike.

All AWI Directors have pledged that AWI will continue to vigorously research alternatives to surgical mulesing in support of the industry’s commitment to the phasing out of surgical mulesing by 31 December 2010 and fully endorses the use of pain relief in the interim.

Your continued support for Australian Merino wool is valued and we remain committed to building market opportunities together.


Yours sincerely

Brian van Rooyen
Chairman