Flystrike happens when blowfly eggs laid on the skin hatch, and the larvae feed on the sheep’s tissue. There is discussion about potentially making pain relief mandatory for mulesing in some places- as is already the case in New Zealand and Victoria-but not for castration or tail docking yet.īoth tail docking and mulesing are practised to reduce the risk of flystrike. Painful standard practicesĬurrent laws allow for standard practices such as castration, tail docking, and mulesing, all without pain relief. While these findings are always shocking and upsetting, it’s powerful to know that people raising their voices against poor treatment can foster change, even in big brands. Following the release of footage showing alpacas suffering as they are tied down for shearing, even UNIQLO has banned the fibre. Unfortunately, an investigation into the leading production country of alpaca wool, Peru, has shown the opposite to be true. Some people consider alpaca wool a kind alternative to sheep’s wool, as it is often marketed as small-scale and sustainable in the industry. Did you know sheep can remember as many as 50 sheep faces in addition to familiar human faces? There is also ample evidence that proves sheep are not as unintelligent as popular culture makes them out to be. Sheep and other farmed animals are sentient creatures like pets and have an equal capacity to feel pain. However, current Australian animal welfare legislation exempts farmed animals from the protections our dog and cat friends have. In Australia, one of the world’s largest wool producers, it is widely believed that there are comprehensive animal welfare laws and standards. We could see a future without sheep farming if we opted for plant-based materials instead and if lab-grown materials (and proteins) became a viable alternative. The sheep we know today only continue to exist because we cyclically breed and slaughter them for our consumption of meat, wool, and sheepskins. The sheep’s original ancestor, mouflon, could naturally shed their winter coats. As a result, sheep risk death from heat exhaustion if not shorn. Humans have selectively bred sheep to maximise the amount of wool they carry. Sheep have been domesticated for an extended part of human history but didn’t start as they are now. As long as it’s not superwash wool, which is coated in plastic.īut wool comes with a host of environmental costs and ethical issues-let’s take a look. That means once a woollen garment is worn out, you can bury it in the ground, and it will eventually compost. It decomposes readily, much like cotton and other plant-based fibres.
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