Ban mulesing of Australian sheep

We call on the Australian government to retract its endorsement of mulesing as an appropriate animal husbandry procedure in the new Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Sheep.

We also call on the Australian Wool Industry to reinstate its commitment to phasing out the practice of mulesing after having reneged on its 2010 promise. In light of this history, it is particularly imperative that industry remains publically accountable to any commitments towards this goal.

The only viable, sustainable solution for preventing fly strike is breeding plain-bodied Merino sheep that are completely free of skin wrinkle and able to maintain or improve fleece productivity, whilst adhering to preventative husbandry practices in the meantime.  It is imperative that this genetic solution be implemented as a matter of urgency. Failing to do so risks permanent injury and embarrassment to Australia's reputation as an international leader in animal welfare standards and imposes unacceptable cruelty on millions of Australian animals annually.  

Animal Welfare Issues

Fly strike undoubtedly poses a significant threat to the welfare of sheep by predisposing them to severe pain, disease and mortality. However, it is entirely preventable by genetic selection of a plain bodied Merino sheep. On the other hand, mulesing is an ad hoc procedure introduced many years ago in order to allow wrinkled skin Merino sheep to continue to be bred. Thus, the fundamental problem (ie the genetic fault) has never been rectified.

Mulesing is an unjustifiably inhumane solution to  this serious welfare issue in Australian sheep farming. Mulesed lambs demonstrate acute pain responses lasting up to 48 hours and display long-term side effects indicative of pain for up to three weeks after the procedure.

Solutions

We demand a renewed commitment to the cessation of this inexcusably inhumane practice and request an explanation from government and industry for their failure to promote the breeding of plain-bodied Merinos with improved fly-strike resistance. Evidence demonstrates that selective breeding against breech strike can greatly reduce disease incidence over a mere five year period. Additionally, Soft Rolling Skin (SRS; www.srsmerino.com) genetic lines, developed over 25 years ago, have added greater benefits compared to the conventional (wrinkly skin) Merinos including higher fleeces weights of finer, better quality wool; easier shearing; improved fecundity and lamb rearing; and significantly reduced requirements for chemicals in fly-strike prevention.