Mulesing: Understanding an International Debate and Why It Doesn't Concern Our Quebec Wool
If you've heard of controversies surrounding the wool industry, it's highly likely that the word "mulesing" came up in conversation. It's a sensitive topic, often misunderstood, and one that deserves clear explanation — especially since it will allow you to respond confidently when your customers ask about it.
Mulesing is a surgical procedure historically performed on certain Merino sheep in Australia. It involves removing a strip of skin around the breech area of the animal, with the aim of preventing a parasitic infestation called flystrike, where flies lay their eggs in the wet wool of this region, causing a severe and potentially fatal infection if left untreated. The procedure is therefore intended to protect the long-term welfare of the animal against a real risk — but the method itself, particularly when performed without anesthesia, raises legitimate short-term animal welfare concerns.
The situation has evolved considerably over the past few years. In Australia, a voluntary system called the National Wool Declaration now allows producers to declare the status of their wool. New Zealand, for its part, has outright banned the practice through regulation, adopting a zero-tolerance policy since 2018.
And in Canada, in our own context? The answer is simple, and rather reassuring: mulesing is essentially not a relevant issue for wool produced here. This procedure was developed specifically to address a parasitic risk linked to the hot and humid climate of certain Australian regions. Our partner farms in Lanaudière raise breeds like the Dorset, in a temperate climate where this risk is negligible.
For you, this means you can answer any questions on this subject with complete honesty: De par chez nous wool is not associated with any mulesing procedure, simply because the agricultural and climatic reality of Quebec never presents this particular risk.
Source: International Wool Textile Organisation, Specifications for Wool Sheep Welfare (2026); Wool Notes, Issue 3 (2024).