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Legal, welfare and ethical issues related to mulesing in sheep
This material addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcomes:
A student:
H1.1 explains the influence of the physical, biological, social, historical and economic factors on sustainable agricultural production
H2.1 describes the inputs, processes and interactions of animal production systems.
The work presented in the following section contributes towards understanding the following syllabus content areas:
- Ethics, welfare and legal issues and requirements in animal production systems.
Extract form Stage 6 Agriculture Syllabus NSW Board of Studies
Mulesing is the surgical removal of skin around the breech and tail area of lambs to reduce the chance of fly strike. The resulting skin is tighter and remains more clean and dry than if not mulesed.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTAA) describes the maximum legal age for some animal husbandry practices for particular species. Mulesing must be carried out to sheep before they are 12 months old but should ideally be done at marking time when they are 4-6 weeks old.
Mulesing has been extensively discussed in the media in recent times with animal rights groups lobbying for it to be banned. It is essential that you gain an informed understanding of this practice, why it is carried out, the alternatives and current developments related to mulesing.
You will need to use the different sources listed below to provide you with information and help you consider the legal requirements and ethical and welfare issues related to mulesing.
- The Primary Industries Standing Committee, Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of
Animals, The Sheep
, describes the legal requirements relating to mulesing of sheep.
- The Standard Operating Procedures – Sheep Mulesing , describes the
Department of Primary Industries preferred method of mulesing with advice about care of the animals and risks involved.
- The Farming Ahead article, Race on for mulesing alternatives , describes some to the
research that has and is being done to seek alternatives to mulesing.
- The National Farmers Federation (NFF) Fact Sheet – Mulesing , presents the organisation’s
stance about this husbandry practice.
- The essay, Mulesing - what are the alternatives? discusses the
research that is being carried out into alternatives to mulesing.
Questions
- What limitations are placed on the age of sheep for mulesing?
- What is the ideal age of sheep for mulesing?
- Is anaesthetic required before mulesing?
- Are all sheep breeds mulesed?
- Why is mulesing routinely carried out?
- What are some of the risks to the animal due to mulesing?
- List some practices that help to reduce the stress on animals caused by the operation of mulesing.
- Research is being carried out to find alternatives to mulesing. Briefly describe two alternatives that are currently being researched.
- While mulesing causes stress to the animals and considerable work for the producer, the advantages of it are obviously seen to outweigh both of
these. Write your thoughts about mulesing and how the advantages must be considered against the disadvantages. Make sure you consider:
- the pain and stress on the animal
- the reasons for carrying out mulesing
- possible outcomes if mulesing was not carried out
- practical alternatives to mulesing
- the advantages to the producer
- your background and own personal experiences (these help form your opinions).
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