❓ Hon Amanda Dorn questions the WA government's stance on mulesing, highlighting animal welfare concerns, reputational risks, and potential trade implications. The government acknowledges the issue, cites ongoing research, and emphasizes industry-led change with mandated pain relief.
AnsweredQoN 873Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the continued use of mulesing (live lamb cutting) in Western Australia, which involves slicing skin from a lamb’s breech and tail area, often without anaesthetic, to reduce flystrike risk. This procedure has been widely criticised as inhumane, and I note the previous Minister’s response to question on notice 2467 on 17 September 2019, which acknowledged the availability of non-mulesed management strategies and the existence of producers running successful non-mulesed flocks. I further note the 2025 Mecardo data showing that Western Australia has the lowest proportion of non-mulesed Merino wool among all Australian states, and I ask: (a) why has the Western Australian (WA) Government not committed to a legislated phase-out of live lamb cutting (mulesing), given the growing national and international concern over the practice; (b) what steps has the Government taken to support the transition to plain-bodied Merinos, which do not require mulesing, and are recognised as a proven alternative by many industry experts, wool growers and animal welfare organisations; (c) has the Government received advice on the growing reputational risk to WA wool industry due to continued mulesing; (d) what assessments have been made on potential export market losses if mulesing is not phased out; (e) is the Minister aware of increasing pressure from international markets for non-mulesed wool, and how is the Government preparing for possible trade bans or certification restrictions; (f) how is the Government preparing for international trade partners introducing bans on products derived from mulesed sheep; (g) is the Government aware that mulesing is illegal in countries like New Zealand, the United Kingdom and is increasingly being phased out in Europe; (h) has the Government conducted a cost-benefit analysis comparing the long-term economic and welfare outcomes of transitioning to non-mulesed wool production; (i) what public funding, if any, is currently available to support wool growers who wish to transition away from mulesing, including grants or subsidies; (j) conversely, how much public funding has been allocated in the past five years to support mulesing practices, either directly or indirectly; (k) what barriers are preventing the Government from implementing a legislative phase-out of mulesing, and what actions are being taken to address them; (l) has the Government consulted with industry stakeholders, animal welfare organisations, and trade partners on a timeline to end mulesing; (m) given that Western Australia currently ranks lowest nationally for non-mulesed wool production, what steps are being taken to improve this standing and align with evolving national and global expectations; and (n) will the Minister commit to phasing out mulesing in Western Australia by a fixed date, in line with global animal welfare trends, including New Zealand’s ban and similar initiatives across Europe?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 December 2025
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
8 days
(a) The WA government is drafting regulations under the Animal Welfare Act 2002 on sheep welfare based on the standards in the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Sheep. These regulations will include requirements relating to mulesing, including the provision of anaesthetic and analgesic in certain circumstances.
(b-h) The WA government recognises the significant impact flystrike has on the WA sheep industry and the importance of reducing risk. In 2008, the then Department of Agriculture and Food WA was the first research institute nationally to cease mulesing on its research and commercial flocks. Since then, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has been actively involved in researching practical methods such as tail docking, chemical application, time of crutching and shearing, and genetics as well as extension activities to help producers manage flystrike and non-mulesed sheep. DPIRD continues to strongly recommend that a registered pain relief product be applied when mulesing. In 2022, 90% of merino lambs that were mulesed received pain relief.
(i-j) There is no specific government funding program currently available.
(k-l) The Western Australian Government considers that industry-led change, supported by science and welfare improvements as the most effective and sustainable approach.
(m-n) Mulesing remains an important tool to manage animal welfare outcomes for many sheep producers in regions prone to high flystrike risk. DPIRD has been involved in researching practical methods to reduce flystrike, such as genetics, chemical application, tail docking, time of crutching and shearing, to help producers manage flystrike and transition to non-mulesed sheep. WA has committed to implement the nationally agreed Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for sheep, including mandated use of appropriate pain relief.
(b-h) The WA government recognises the significant impact flystrike has on the WA sheep industry and the importance of reducing risk. In 2008, the then Department of Agriculture and Food WA was the first research institute nationally to cease mulesing on its research and commercial flocks. Since then, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has been actively involved in researching practical methods such as tail docking, chemical application, time of crutching and shearing, and genetics as well as extension activities to help producers manage flystrike and non-mulesed sheep. DPIRD continues to strongly recommend that a registered pain relief product be applied when mulesing. In 2022, 90% of merino lambs that were mulesed received pain relief.
(i-j) There is no specific government funding program currently available.
(k-l) The Western Australian Government considers that industry-led change, supported by science and welfare improvements as the most effective and sustainable approach.
(m-n) Mulesing remains an important tool to manage animal welfare outcomes for many sheep producers in regions prone to high flystrike risk. DPIRD has been involved in researching practical methods to reduce flystrike, such as genetics, chemical application, tail docking, time of crutching and shearing, to help producers manage flystrike and transition to non-mulesed sheep. WA has committed to implement the nationally agreed Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for sheep, including mandated use of appropriate pain relief.
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