Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) CEO, Dr Len Stephens, today said “recent claims in the media that there will be no alternatives to mulesing by 2010 are just plain wrong.”
“AWI is currently in discussions with commercial partners to take mulesing alternatives to the market in the next 12 to 18 months,” said Dr Stephens.
“AWI is very committed to making sure that woolgrowers have alternatives to conventional mulesing available by 2010. Any view to the contrary is misleading or misinformed.
“AWI and its research and commercial partners are clearly in the best position to judge the progress of these technologies, and we are confident research into these technologies is on track.
“Collagenase is not being progressed as it is not commercially viable and therefore it is not in the best interests of woolgrowers to proceed with this technology. AWI is currently working with research partners on other injectable alternatives.
“AWI has invested in a range of alternatives, including injectables, clips, gene mapping and genetic research. With AWI support, genomic methods are also being applied to develop new pest control strategies to combat blowfly strike.
“The breech and tail clips are currently being road tested on commercial properties and are being applied to about 90 woolgrowers' lambs across Australia, with promising results. A decision on commercial partners for the clips is scheduled by the end of 2006.
“Pharmaceutical registration requirements for the intradermal injections will require more detailed and ongoing work, the best estimate of commercial availability is in late 2008 depending on the registration process it will need to go through.
“AWI along with it's enthusiastic wool grower collaborators are actively working towards achieving the commitment set by the Australian sheep and wool industry during 2004, to phase out the current practice of conventional mulesing by 2010."
Australian Wool Innovation Limited
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