The new chairman of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), Wal Merriman, has reaffirmed that there has been no fundamental change to AWI's position on mulesing as a result of the board election two days ago.
Mr Merriman said a resolution of the previous board in regard to flystrike prevention passed in March this year was still the AWI's position on the mulesing phase out by 2010.
"I have seen much misinformation since the election of the new board and felt it was important to set the record straight," Mr Merriman said.
His comments follow strong warnings from PETA, the RSPCA and some retailers, which yesterday flooded the media.
These groups warned against any changes in AWI mulesing policy arising from the election of a new board at the AWI AGM in Perth.
They indicated that the new board would be less dedicated to the 2010 deadline that was the outgoing AWI board.
Even the president of the Victorian Farmers Federation, Simon Ramsay, was reported on ABC news to have labelled the new AWI board 'an absolute disaster.'
"Everyone on the new board wants to see an end to mulesing as soon as possible," Mr Merriman confirmed today.
"But it can only be achieved when viable alternatives are in place.
"Under my chairmanship, AWI will continue the necessary research to find alternatives.
"But the nature of research and development is such that it is a complex procedure which requires testing and trialling and then peer assessment, before new animal welfare measures can be brought to the marketplace.
"While it's my genuine hope that this can be achieved by the designated phase out date, it's also my hope that animal activists realise that the Australian industry is genuinely seeking viable alternatives.
"Genetic selection has already allowed many woolgrowers a better way of dealing with flystrike management issues on their properties.
"The National Wool Declaration (NWD) allows buyers to source various types of wool that will satisfy their corporate social responsibility requirements."
He said AWI would continue to fund research into finding viable alternatives.
That's in line with the earlier board resolution, and confirms continued support for the use of pain relief in those cases where woolgrowers mulesed their lambs.
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