This is the story of a stylish, fluffy wool pullover
It belonged to a lamb who once had a butt
Once upon a time the lamb lived in Australia where 80% of the world’s fine wool used in the global clothing industry is produced.
But the fluffy lambs there have natural enemies. Flies, that lay their eggs in the many wrinkles around the lambs’ butt. Parasites
Mulesing /ˈmjuːlziŋ/ is how wool producers try to prevent flies from attacking their sheep.
They restrain the few weeks old lamb and cut off the skin around the buttocks. This happens with the help of shears and usually without anaesthesia.
Shocked, the bleeding lamb runs back to its herd. In many cases, and despite the mutilation, flies will still attack the lamb.
The lamb suffers for our clothing. The wool pullover once belonged to a being with emotions, who experienced fear and pain.
But there is a solution: sheep that are naturally more resistant to fly infestation.
This shift will cost wool producers time and effort, but it’s possible.
The outcome: 'Wool with a butt'
The more people demand 'Wool with a butt', the more brands will choose wool from non-mulesed sheep. And none of the fluffy lambs will have to endure mulesing again.
