Instead, the WPA says unity is needed in the wool industry, as opposed to "division or populism".

"It is obviously disappointing that PGA has taken this view, but it doesn't change the pressing need to phase out mulesing or the commitment of the wider Australian wool industry to do it," WPA president Don Hamblin said.

"I believe there is very strong leadership in the wool industry and a very strong will to see this challenge through.

"Strong leadership is about doing the right thing for the industry in the face of opposition.

"Telling a section of the industry what they want to hear will not guarantee that we have a wool industry in 10 or 20 years time."

Mr Hamblin said he was confident that solutions to the mulesing dilemma will be found prior to 2010.

"The evidence shows that there a number of effective fly strike prevention measures either already available or close to commercialisation," he said.

Mr Hamblin was also concerned at how governments may react to the PGA announcement.

"I share the concern of PGA and many growers about the risk of State legislation taking control of the agenda away from farmers. 2010 is a grower to customer commitment.

"That is what makes this decision all the more surprising, because if the Australian wool growing industry can't rise to the challenge of phasing out mulesing in response to consumer demand, then government might decide it has to act, which we are trying to avoid."