Skip to main content
Home
  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 16/04/2024
  • The Legislative Council meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 16/04/2024
  • The Public Administration meets on 08/04/2024 (10:00 AM)
    Committee meet 08/04/2024

Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 2467 asked in the Legislative Council on 17 September 2019 by Hon Alison Xamon

Question Directed to the: Minister for Agriculture and Food
Parliament: 40 Session: 1


Question

I refer to the article “Clothing brands in mulesed wool ban” in West Business on 4 September 2019, referring to the planned phase out of mulesed wool by retailers David Jones and Country Road, and  ask:
(a) does the Minister agree with the statements made by Farmers WA Wool spokesperson, Steve McGuire, that retailers phasing out mulesed wool in their clothing ranges is counter-intuitive to good animal welfare;
(b) is the Minister concerned that this attitude may impact negatively on all Western Australian wool producers, including those farmers who do not mules their sheep or who use pain relief during the procedure;
(c) is the Minister aware of the economic impacts to date of overseas wool buyers boycotting mulesed Western Australian wool or choosing alternative sources of non-mulesed wool;
(d) can the Minister provide any data on:
(i) the number of farmers who currently mules their sheep;
(ii) the number of farmers who have not completed accredited training to complete this procedure;
(iii) the number of farmers who use registered pain relief treatments (such as Tri-Solfen) to minimise the suffering of sheep during the mulesing procedure;
(iv) whether progress has been made to transition Western Australian flocks to wrinkle-free merino breeds that have a lesser need to be mulesed; and
(v) whether Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is conducting any ongoing research into alternatives to mulesing and, if yes, can the Minister detail any progress; and
(e) can the Minister detail what plans the Government has to implement the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Sheep which would make pain relief for mulesing mandatory and, if yes, by what date:
(i) if no to (e), by what date?

Answered on 22 October 2019

(a)        Phasing out mulesed wool does not have to be counterintuitive to good animal welfare. Mulesing is just one of many ways sheep producers can manage breech flystrike in their flock. Producers who cease mulesing without a plan or without implementing different management strategies can increase their risk of breech flystrike and therefore have decreased welfare outcomes. There are many producers who successfully run non-mulesed sheep with very high animal welfare outcomes.

(b)        There are many properties successfully running non-mulesed sheep with high animal welfare outcomes. Producers do need to plan their transition from mulesing and utilise the many management techniques available before just ceasing mulesing.

(c)        I am investigating whether there is data on the economic impact of overseas wool buyers boycotting mulesed Western Australian wool. I am aware that mules-free wool is obtaining a market premium.

(d) (i)         In 2017 the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) conducted a telephone survey of 400 randomly selected producers, 72% of Merino lambs were mulesed (Curnow M & Conte J (2019) Western Australian Sheep Producer Survey 2018. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, May 2019).

(ii)        There is currently no accreditation course for mulesing. The course ‘Perform Mulesing Procedures on Sheep’ was managed by the Western Australian Training Accreditation Council and delivered by the Kondinin Group from 2008 to 2012. This course has not been delivered since 2012.

(iii)       50% of Merino producers in a telephone survey of 400 randomly selected producers used pain relief on those lambs that were mulesed. (Curnow M & Conte J (2019) Western Australian Sheep Producer Survey 2018. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, May 2019).

(iv)       Research conducted by DPIRD has shown that skin wrinkle is an important indicator trait of breech strike. This has resulted in the development of a breeding value for skin wrinkle that breeders can use to breed wrinkle-free sheep.

(v)        DPIRD (at the time DAFWA) were the first research institute nationally to cease mulesing on its research and commercial flocks. Since then, DPIRD has been actively involved in researching practical methods (tail docking, chemical application, time of crutching/shearing, genetics) to help producers manage non mulesed sheep. DPIRD has more recently conducted research with the University of Western Australia to identify specific odour compounds from sheep that make them attractive to blowflies. DPIRD has also recently run a successful workshop for producers, vets and industry on the various pain relief options available at lamb marking, promoting best practice welfare. 

(e)        Under the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Sheep, endorsed in 2016, pain relief is mandatory when mulesing animals between 6 and 12 months of age. A person must not mules a sheep less than 24 hours old or over 12 months of age. Mulesing is almost always carried out on lambs under 6 months of age. Further information is being sought on the scientific basis for allowing mulesing without anaesthetic for animals under 6 months. DPIRD’s Animal Welfare Regulation Unit is currently drafting regulations to give regulatory effect to the Land Transport of Livestock (sheep and cattle) and Saleyards and Depots Standards. Following the completion of these regulations, drafting for the Sheep Standards will commence, and this is expected to occur in 2020.

(i)         Not applicable.