The Australian wool industry is in a no-win situation when it comes to mulesing.
The statement by research and development organisation Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) that next year’s deadline to phase out the practice cannot be met puts the industry’s future at risk.
Woolgrowers have joined animal welfare groups in condemning the statement, albeit for different reasons.
AWI says the decision is based on scientific evidence regarding the risk of suffering and death from flystrike, the availability of effective analgesia, the state of development of alternatives and the production status of the industry.
There are some irreconcilable conflicts in that argument.
It is for the welfare of animals that mulesing must continue, however the production status of the industry is at risk if mulesing does continue.
AWI is right to imply that flystruck sheep suffer cruelty and mulesing remains the best preventative option at this stage.
But woolgrowers are concerned that Australian wool will now be be difficult to sell, especially since China has joined European and American fashion retailers in demanding the practice be abandoned.
They are frustrated that faster progress hasn’t been made toward achieving an effective research-based solution.
Wool is a wonderful natural fibre that competes against other fibres in a tough marketplace.
Australia must now sell the message that genuine efforts are being made to phase out mulesing. This requires a combined effort from the Federal Government, growers and researchers.
Some of the current criticism directed toward AWI is unhelpful in that regard.
The industry needs solutions, not scapegoats.
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