Wednesday July 15, 2009, 9:29 am
Just one more think I wont buy until they stop doing this... Just awful.. I didn't know about this or what mulesing was... This is what it is according to Wikipedia:

"Mulesing is a skilled surgical task"[1] that involves the removal of strips of wool-bearing skin from around the breech (buttocks) of a sheep.[2] Mulesing is common practice in Australia as a way to reduce the incidence of flystrike (myiasis) on Merino sheep in regions where flystrike is common.[2]

Mulesing is a controversial topic with many different opinions. The National Farmers Federation says that "mulesing remains the most effective practical way to eliminate the risk of 'flystrike' in sheep" and that "without mulesing up to 3,000,000 sheep a year could die a slow and agonising death from flystrike".[3]"The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) recognises the welfare implications of mulesing of sheep. However, in the absence of more humane alternatives for preventing breech strike, the AVA accepts that the practice of mulesing should continue as a sheep husbandry procedure". The AVA also supports the use of analgesics and the accreditation of mulesing practioners.[4] According to National Farmers' Federation president Peter Corish, the animal welfare organisation Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals "accept[s] the practice of mulesing as a necessary sheep husbandry procedure to prevent flystrike.".[5] The animal rights organisation PETA strongly opposes mulesing, says the practice is cruel and painful and that more humane alternatives exist.[5]

In early November, 2004, representatives of the Australian wool industry met and voted to phase out the practice of mulesing in Australia by 31 December 2010.[2][6] Mulesing is already being phased out in New Zealand.[7]

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 2:36 pm
This is good to hear from China. Thanks Cher.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 5:44 pm
Now why does China not clean up its own dirty backyard? I'm glad though this is being phased out.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 6:44 pm
Thanks Cher..
Noted..

Thursday July 16, 2009, 9:47 am
I find this quite bizarre that China is apposing what Australia is doing to their sheep...but great though!, but knowing what hideous crimes they commit against cats & dogs I just hope they are changing ...don't get me wrong I think that this is brutal & obscene what Australia is doing, but as PETA says there are other alternatives. As Eureka has said they need to clean up their own back yards quite extensively...or maybe they are seeing the light that animals are not just meat and that they are great companions, I pray to the Gods & Goddesses that China receives great compassion against all animals!!

Thursday July 16, 2009, 1:57 pm
What the heck is flystrike? I have never heard of this before, This is insane, thanks for telling me what mulesing is Jamie.