R&D update

AWI Board unanimously confirms support for industry decision to phase out mulesing

19 March 2008

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Chairman, Ian McLachlan, has announced that the AWI Board today unanimously passed the following resolution regarding the wool industry’s commitment to the phasing out of the current practice of mulesing:

RESOLUTION: The AWI Board unanimously resolved that, as required by the decision of the whole of industry meeting in November 2004, AWI will continue to vigorously research alternatives to surgical mulesing in support of the industry’s commitment to the phasing out of surgical mulesing by 31 December 2010 and fully endorses the use of pain relief in the interim.

The AWI Board members that passed the resolution are:

  • Ian McLachlan AO – Chairman
  • Brian van Rooyen – Deputy Chairman
  • Chris Abell
  • Kevin Bell
  • Roger Fletcher
  • Wal Merriman
  • Chick Ollson

This resolution was unanimously passed in support of the commitment made by Australian sheep and wool industry leaders in November 2004 to the phasing out of the current practice of mulesing by 2010. The sheep and wool industry leaders which made that commitment represented the following organisations:

  • National Farmers’ Federation
  • WoolProducers
  • Meat & Livestock Australia
  • Australian Livestock Council
  • LiveCorp
  • Sheep Meat Council
  • State Farmer organisations
  • Australian Stud and Merino Breeders’ Association
  • Australian Superfine Breeders Association
  • Australian Wool Growers Association
  • National Council of Wool Exporters
  • Australian Wool Processors Council
  • The National Council of Wool Selling Brokers
  • The Inland Wool Brokers Association
  • The Private Treaty Wool Merchants of Australia
  • Australian Wool Testing Authority
  • Australian Wool Exchange
  • Australian Wool Industries Secretariat
  • The Woolmark Company

The commitment by the sheep and wool industry leaders was made to reassure the industry’s international markets and clients following concerns expressed by international retailers and consumers about mulesing.

The industry instructed AWI, the industry’s research, development and marketing company, to fast-track a number of research and development programs to enable an end to mulesing.

AWI is currently undertaking research and development on a number of alternatives to the current practice of mulesing.