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13.3.07
Dear Sir,
MULESING IS NOT CRUEL
The recent statement by current AWI Chairman Ian McLachlan that “You
cannot convince anyone that mulesing is not cruel” (Weekly Times
21.2.07) is totally incorrect and a capitulation to animal rights propaganda.
Perhaps what he means is that HE cannot convince anyone that mulesing
is not cruel, and, if that is the case, then he should think about handing
over the reins to somebody who can.
His current strategy of sticking to a promise that he may or may not be
able to keep (the 2010 phase-out) is playing Russian roulette with the
Australian Wool Industry and our reputation and credibility with our international
retailers.
The fact is that mulesing is no different from any other procedure performed
in humans, or animals, to protect the long term health and well being
of the recipient – whether it is having teeth drilled, having skin
lesions excised or undergoing cardiac bypass surgery.
Our hospitals are full of people undergoing such procedures - all day,
every day. Despite the pain involved, procedures such as these are not
considered cruel and are justified by the lack of a painless alternative.
The only reason that mulesing may be perceived as ‘cruel’
in comparison, is because it is performed without pain relief.
However, highly effective post-operative pain relief is now available
and is being widely adopted by farmers across Australia. In addition to
this, work is underway to develop further pain relief options and render
the procedure itself painless (Dr Sheil Country hour 9.3.07).
At present, we do not have an effective painless alternative to mulesing.
Whilst it is hoped that we may do so by 2010 we must accept that research
is unpredictable and that a definitive date for finding a ‘cure’
cannot be given.
In the absence of a painless alternative, there can be no argument against
mulesing on the grounds of cruelty where available pain relief is used
– whether it is 2007, 2010 or 2020.
If Mr McLachlan believes that retailers and consumers are not convinced
of this, then it is his role to convince them, not to capitulate to the
propaganda of groups like PETA.
There has been a tremendous uptake of the use of pain relief for mulesing.
Mr McLachlan has used it to successfully relieve pain in his own lambs.
He should be broadcasting this to the world, rather than apoplectically
sticking to an ill-fated promise and caving in to PETA’s ill-considered
propaganda.
Here is what Mr McLachlan is saying; “The industry…gave a
commitment to phase mulesing out by 2010 and that is what we are going
to do.”
Here is what Mr McLachlan should be saying; “We will do the utmost
to protect the welfare of our sheep. We will continue to mules with pain
relief until an effective painless alternative is found.”
Sam Stephens
CEO AWGA
Coolah NSW
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