R&D update

Progress to end mulesing by 2010 on track

20 March 2008

The Chairs of the Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce met today and have reinforced their unanimous commitment to the phasing out of mulesing by 31 December 2010 and the use of pain relief for mulesing of sheep in the interim.

The Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Board yesterday also unanimously endorsed the phasing out of mulesing by 31 December 2010 and fully endorses the use of pain relief for surgical mulesing of sheep.

AWI briefed the Taskforce on its research and development programs, with the Taskforce confident alternatives remain on track and the taskforce has asked AWI to keep woolgrowers updated on progress.

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) undertakes quarterly independent reviews of progress towards mulesing alternatives and, following the most recent review in January 2008, the AVA reported that at least one alternative to mulesing (namely, the use of clips) will be available by the 2010 deadline.

The Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce also fully supports the use of pain relief which is applied immediately after surgical mulesing.

From a marketing perspective, as of 1 July 2008 the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) will have a new system in place to differentiate mulesed and non-mulesed wool. The Taskforce views this as a commercial matter, but one that represents progress in meeting market expectations.

The Taskforce also noted a recent survey of 1,410 wool producers, which demonstrates significant grass-roots progress towards the 2010 phase out of mulesing. The survey found that:

  • 32% of all lambs born in Australia in 2008 will remain non-mulesed;
  • 11.5% of the Australian wool clip will be from non-mulesed sheep in 2008; and
  • 14.8% of producers have a breeding strategy that involves sourcing bare-breeched rams.

The Taskforce very much appreciates the constructive role the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, The Hon Tony Burke MP, and his Department continue to play in supporting industry on these issues.

The Taskforce is adamant it will continue to work constructively with all segments of the wool industry to achieve a united focus on meeting the commitment to end mulesing by 31 December 2010.