Western Australia joins push for pain relief in mulesing as calls for national approach grow

Three states have moved to mandate pain relief at mulesing – leaving SA and NSW as outliers – as the national bodies push for unified national approach.

Geoff Pearson, Myalup, WA.

Western Australia is the latest state to move to mandate the use of pain relief products when mulesing sheep to manage flystrike.

Victoria and Tasmania have already mandated pain relief when mulesing while other

states are yet to.

WAFarmers last week welcomed WA government moves to mandate pain relief, but has doubled down in support of mulesing in the short-term as work continues on alternatives.

WAFarmers livestock president Geoff Pearson said the “vast majority of WA woolgrowers have been using pain relief for many years”.

“The government’s decision essentially brings the law into line with best practice on farms, and with WAFarmers’ policy position,” Mr Pearson said.

He said viewing mulesing and flystrike as separate issues “ignores the simple fact that uncontrolled flystrike is a far worse welfare outcome”.

“Mandating pain relief helps ensure the industry presents a united front on animal welfare while we continue to invest in genetics, management and chemical strategies that will, over time, reduce reliance on surgical mulesing.”

Victorian Farmers Federation livestock president Scott Young said the WA move was “fantastic”.

“VFF has pushed for that (mandated pain relief in 2020) and got it through,” Mr Young said.

“It would be good to have a national system that everybody adheres to.

“That way – if that was the standard, across the industry nationally – our overseas customers would have more confidence in the products they are buying from us.”

WoolProducers Australia chief executive officer Jo Hall said WPA has had policy calling for mandatory pain relief application for mulesing since 2018.

Bonnie Skinner Sheep Producers Lambex Picture: Kate Dowler

Sheep Producers Australia chief executive officer Bonnie Skinner said SPA welcomed the WA decision which aligned with longstanding SPA policy.

“While each state will make its own regulatory decisions, mandatory pain relief for mulesing is a practical, achievable step that aligns with community expectations and improved welfare outcomes,” she said.

NSWFarmers spokeswoman said it “supports the provision of pain relief” in line with industry best practice.