Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Tony Burke today warned retailers and activists against a misinformation campaign that could hurt Australian growers.

In response to a campaign by animal welfare activists against the practice of mulesing, which is the surgical removal of strips of wool-bearing wrinkly skin from around the breech of a sheep, some European retailers have stated that they require garments made with wool from unmulesed sheep.

“The Australian government and the Australian wool industry are well aware of the issues surrounding consumer concern about mulesing, and woolgrowers are working hard to meet industry’s commitment to phase out mulesing by 2010,” Mr Burke said.

“The 2010 phase out was agreed with animal rights groups. To try to bring that forward without an acceptable alternative would expose sheep to the risk of flystrike and would see a worse animal welfare outcome.

“From growers through to sellers, those involved in the wool industry are working together to give retailers access to wool that meets their ethical requirements – wool from farms that do not mules sheep is already available on the market.”

Mr Burke added that misinformation about mulesing, and the response of some retailers, has been a disturbing part of the campaign against mulesing. 

“Those who say that mulesing can stop immediately in Australia are poorly informed.  It is a part of a range of measures that give protection to our merino flocks,” he said.

“It is important to understand when and how the practice of mulesing developed.  The Australian merino is the result of selective breeding to develop an animal suited to our unique Australian conditions but it was developed prior to the introduction of the blowfly.  

“This parasite has now become the biggest threat to individual animals and to the industry as a whole, and independent studies have shown that up to three million sheep would be at risk of painful death from blowfly infection if mulesing were to stop without an alternative in place.”

Mr Burke said he did not believe that any person or organisation with the welfare of animals at heart would accept such an outcome.

“It’s certainly unacceptable to the Australian Government. In order to phase out the practice by 2010, the wool industry and the Australian Government have invested AU$9.7 million since 2004 to fast track the development of effective alternatives,” Mr Burke said.

“Significant progress has been made and in the lead-up to the phase out of mulesing in 2010 the government will continue to strongly support both these efforts and those that otherwise satisfy the ethical requirements of the retailers who are such an important market for Australian wool.

“Australian wool is still considered to be the best in the world.”