R&D update
Australia set to phase out mulesing early
Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) believes that two alternates to mulesing may be available to Australian sheep farmers in 2007 and 2008. If achieved, this will beat the 2010 deadline previously agreed upon by wool growers and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Mulesing is a process where a strip of wool-bearing skin is removed from around the tail of a sheep to prevent fly strike.
The first product is an injection into the sheep’s skin that acts to create dead skin in the targeted area. AWI believes this product is receiving consistent, repeatable and effective results.
The second alternative is specialised clips. The clips produce a bare area on the breech of the lambs by restricting blood flow to the area. The area impacted by clips is narrower than the area affected by surgical mulesing.
“Trial results to date are very positive and an animal welfare study confirmed that clipping was less stressful to lambs than mulesing,” said AWI Wool Production General Manager, Ian Rogan.
Head of Blowfly Control at AWI, Jules Dorrian, says one of the products has reached readiness to transfer to a commercial partner.
"We have passed the research hurdle and we've actually got a product that we're putting together to hand over to a commercial manufacturer in the near future.
“Fortunately this product does not have to go through a process of registration trials. Hence, 2007/08 is achievable," she said.
The introduction of alternatives to mulesing earlier than expected, again demonstrates the care and commitment Australian wool growers have towards their animals.