While the Wool Industry Bickers and the Government Buries its Head in the Sand, 10 Million More Lambs Suffer

It’s now been twenty-one years since the wool industry promised to phase out live lamb cutting (mulesing). That promise was supposed to be fulfilled by 2010. Instead? Broken. Ignored. Forgotten. And while industry leaders squabble and the government continues to ignore its critical role in protecting animals, supporting farmers, and safeguarding trade, another 10 million lambs have endured the agony of live lamb cutting this year alone. 

In response, 10 leading animal welfare organisations from across Australia and the globe have joined forces to pen an Open Letter to all Australian State and Territory Agriculture Ministers and the Federal Minister for Agriculture, calling for leadership in the transition away from live lamb cutting.  

Australia is now the last country in the world still routinely mutilating lambs in this way. That’s not leadership, that’s a national failure. 

“Every year we hear the same excuses, while millions of lambs continue to suffer,” said Louise Ward, Programs Lead at FOUR PAWS Australia. “The wool industry has had more than two decades to act, and the government has had every opportunity to lead. The solution already exists and thousands of producers are doing it – successfully breeding plain-bodied, flystrike-resistant sheep. Yet instead of supporting this transition, governments have chosen delay and deflection. It’s time for decisive action, not more broken promises.” 

One year ago today, FOUR PAWS joined forces with the Australian Alliance for Animals and Humane World for Animals to launch The Broken Promise report, exposing the wool industry’s failure to end this cruel practice. Since then, the silence from government has been deafening and the suffering has continued. 

Program Manager for Animal Welfare at Humane World for Animals, Georgie Dolphin, said, “Calls for an end to live lamb cutting have never been stronger. Phasing out this socially unacceptable lamb mutilation in favour of the proven solution—breeding plain-bodied sheep with natural flystrike protection—would end this. Governments must step in before millions more lambs needlessly suffer this outdated practice that sets Australia apart as the only country producing the most painful wool in the world.” 

Global brands like H&M, Nike, Zara and Australian brands like Country Road, and Target have already turned their backs on live lamb cut wool. Consumers are demanding better. Markets are shifting. And still, Australia clings to a practice that’s not only cruel but economically reckless. 

“Twenty-one years of broken promises is twenty-one years too many,” Ward added. “Every year of delay means another 10 million lambs suffer. If the government won’t lead, then it’s time for the public and the global market to force their hand.”