Mulesing a sore point

Wal Merriman

Pro-mulesing farmers have won control of Australian Wool Innovation, the country's peak wool body.

At a charged annual general meeting in Perth last week, frustrated wool growers dumped the majority of AWI's board and installed new directors, who oppose the industry's controversial 2010 mulesing deadline.

Dr Chris Abell, John Keniry, Robyn Clubb and Ken Boundy made way for UK wool processor Laurence Modiano, paediatrician and developer of the pain-relief treatment Tri-Solfen, Dr Meredith Shiel and stud Merino breeders, David Webster from WA and George Falkiner.

New chairman of AWI, Walter Merriman, said the industry would not be tied to the 2010 deadline and producers should do what is best for their animals and businesses.

"We are researching alternatives (for) mulesing. In the interim we advise people to use pain relief," he said.

Australia's wool producers have been under intense pressure to stop mulesing, which involves cutting off the skin folds of lambs to prevent fly strike, from animal rights activists groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), that considers it mutilation.

Global fashion retailers, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Hugo Boss and Victoria's Secret have pressured farmers to stop mulesing.

The director of PETA Asia-Pacific, Jason Baker, said growers and the new AWI board should be prepared to face a fashion industry backlash.

"I think it's going to invigorate animal rights activists and the general public as well," he said.

However, Mr Modiano said retailers are not getting the full story about mulesing in Australia. It was necessary and was being done with an anaesthetic spray to relieve pain.

"There is no viable alternative and that's that," he said.

Outgoing AWI chairman Brian van Rooyen, believes ignoring the phase-out deadline will hurt exports.

"What our growers want is an increase in price, so any negative campaign against Australian wool that can lead to a reduction in demand is going to be a problem," he said.

Australian Wool Industries Secretariat executive director, Peter Morgan, said this week that retailers expected growers to meet the deadline.

Mr Morgan said an increasing number of growers had stopped mulesing and there were new markets for un-mulesed wool.

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