Mulesing and Education
Mulesing is a vital part of sheep husbandry in Australia, particularly in reference to Merino sheep. It involves surgically removing the skin around the breech (backside) to prevent wool growth which reduces the risk of fly strike caused by a unique and very aggressive blowfly (Lucilia cuprina).
A ban on mulesing would kill up to three million sheep in years when conditions were conducive to flystrike - hot and wet - it would be exceptionally cruel not to mules sheep in Australia.
Scientific studies clearly show that mulesing and tail docking are currently the most practical, effective and humane methods of flystrike prevention available to Australian woolgrowers.
Scientific research presently being conducted by Australian Wool Innovation and funded by Australian woolgrowers has seen investment of A$7 million into research and development programmes including developing alternatives to mulesing.