Mulesing - no thanks!

 

What is Mulesing?

The global demand for merino wool is continuously increasing. This leads large farm operations, especially in Australia, to manage sheep farming with the same operating procedures as mass animal husbandry in food production, where animal welfare often takes a back seat. Huge flocks of sheep are crammed into pens in confined spaces, which promotes the spread of diseases and parasites. To keep the sheep "clean," their tails are sometimes cut off without anesthesia. This agonizing procedure is called mulesing.

The background to this rightly condemned form of husbandry is profit maximization at the expense of the animals. Australian "cheap merino wool" is primarily sold to the fashion industry, where unfortunately the lower price often dictates terms. At this point, we also expressly warn against merino underwear from discount stores or from corresponding private label shops. Conspicuously low prices are often an indication that it is mulesing wool from precisely such operations.

 

Is the merino underwear and clothing in the Merino Store anti-mulesing certified?

 

Yes, our entire merino range comes from certified sheep farming that does not practice mulesing.

 

 

For us, it is out of the question that we only sell products where animal welfare has been respected. Our suppliers have independent auditors regularly check compliance with the certification criteria. At Ortovox and Icebreaker, there are also shorter audit intervals and results are transparently disclosed.

As part of its Wool Promise program, Ortovox checks other criteria in addition to the mulesing ban, such as land management, handling of the animals, or stress-reduced shearing processes. Icebreaker has long-term contracts with New Zealand sheep farmers and strict animal welfare requirements, such as open pastures, protection from dangers, constant access to clean water and shade, and stress-avoiding husbandry.

 

How does sheep farming affect wool quality?

 

The best merino qualities are produced when the animals can graze on open pastures, where the wind blows through their fleece and they can live in a species-appropriate way. Equally important for the later fiber properties is a large temperature difference between summer and winter. It has a positive effect on the climate-regulating ability of the wool.

Our suppliers source their wool mainly from the uplands of New Zealand, Tasmania, and the Andes. The wool quality from these regions is finer and of higher quality than Australian wool, where the sheep are exposed to high temperatures all year round.

Good wool needs the change between warm and cold, and good wool needs decent sheep husbandry with respect for animal welfare!