Clothing brands have told global sustainability assessment company Textile Exchange (TE) they would not use its Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) if mulesing was allowed. Its second stakeholder review of RWS, concluded recently, and brands told TE the standard cannot succeed without the support of brands driving demand.

In the latest RWS Mulesing Position Paper released to Sheep Central, TE said welfare groups told Australian wool industry they had 10 years to eliminate mulesing, and that the industry needs a strong and clear signal that it is not acceptable. The completed RWS is due for release soon and TE is conducting training on the standard with the sourcing offices of a number of global brands in Europe, Asia and Japan.

RWS consultation on mulesing question culminated in a panel discussion that was held as an open webinar last month. During the discussion, Textile Exchange had representation from animal welfare groups, brands, a pain relief specialist, a Merino breeder, a prominent wool trader and processor, a veterinarian, a wool supplier and a wool farmer.

As per the paper, all perspectives were shared and although there were arguments for allowing mulesing with pain relief, the overwhelming message from brands and animal welfare groups was that the RWS would not be an acceptable sourcing option if Mulesing – under any conditions – is allowed.