recommends merino wool with the GOTS label, as long as it does not come from Australia. Because earlier this year, the global animal welfare foundation found out that GOTS relies on Australian organic standards for Australian merino wool, which do not exclude mulesing. This means that this merino wool can contain mulesing despite the certificate. now works closely with GOTS and brands that purchase wool from GOTS. The aim is to exclude mulesing from Australian GOTS wool as well.
calls on the entire industry to take responsibility and is in close contact with brands and labels. Martina Stephany: “Companies have to set a schedule for when they no longer want to offer mulesing wool and communicate this publicly. A clear signal from brands to their partners in the supply chain and especially to sheep farmers in Australia will encourage them to switch to mulesing-free wool.” Consumers also have an influence: “Anyone can ask brands and retailers where the wool comes from and to put pressure on it. Anyone who buys mulesing-free wool helps to improve the husbandry conditions for Merino sheep.”
Ranking winner Rosy Green Wool is committed to improving existing certification standards: «Animal suffering and the joy of knitting don’t go together! We are very happy about the work of , because it is only through external pressure that the textile industry will change and introduce higher animal welfare standards,” says Patrick Gruban, co-founder and owner of Rosy Green Wool. On request, supports companies that follow this example and want to become mulesing-free. The global foundation for animal protection also helps companies to implement internal animal protection concepts.
When mulesing, large strips of skin are cut off the buttocks of lambs that are usually two to ten weeks old, usually without anesthesia. This cruelty to animals procedure only exists in Australia. The reason for mulesing is the so-called myiasis (fly maggot infestation), which is supposed to be prevented by removing the skin. The Merino sheep, which are bred to have as many wrinkles as possible, are very susceptible to infestation – especially on the buttocks, since urine and faeces accumulate there in addition to moisture. Mulesing does not offer 100% protection against fly maggots, as these also lay their eggs in other skin folds on the rest of the sheep’s body.
A new report shows that there are painless solutions for animals by breeding sheep back. More than 3,000 Australian wool producers have already switched to sheep that are not over-bred and are less susceptible to maggot infestation as they have few to no skin folds. Proof that mulesing is no longer necessary.
Additional Information:
site with Ranking on knitting yarn brands
Merino wool info brochure «Knitting with heart»
The new shopping guide Christmas 2020
More information about «Wool with Butt»: Brands against mulesing
More information on the topic «mulesing»