Merino sheep in Australia

FOUR PAWS Responds to WoolProducers Australia's Criticism of Netflix Series North Shore's Portrayal of Mulesing

The Truth About Live Lamb Cutting (Mulesing) Cannot Be Silenced.

14.7.2025

Sydney, 8 July 2025 – In response to criticism from WoolProducers Australia (WPA) regarding the portrayal of live lamb cutting (mulesing) in the Netflix series North Shore, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS stands by the urgent need to expose the reality of live lamb cutting and the Australian wool industry’s failure to transition away from this outdated and painful practice.

“The backlash from WPA is not about misinformation - it’s about discomfort with the truth, the truth about the pain inflicted on lambs through this process. Last year, Jo Hall the CEO of Wool Producers Australia stated that anyone who tries to claim that mulesing doesn’t inflict pain is living in Disneyland.

"The Australian wool industry has had over two decades to phase out live lamb cutting (mulesing). Instead, it continues to subject 10 million lambs each year to one of the most painful and cruel mutilations permitted in modern agriculture.”

Louise Ward, Programs Lead at FOUR PAWS Australia

FOUR PAWS rejects WPA’s claims that the portrayal of live lamb cutting (mulesing) is misleading.

The practice-where strips of skin are cut from lambs’ hindquarters without pain relief is not only legal in Australia but still widely used, despite the availability of humane, cost-effective alternatives. Whilst it is correct that some pain relief is given to lambs - this pain relief is a topical spray applied after the procedure and, at best, provides short term and temporary relief.

Lambs with injured buttocks from live lamb cutting

“Yeah, it’s barbaric.” That’s how the investigators in Netflix's newest crime thriller 'North Shore' reacted when they watched footage of live lamb cutting (mulesing) in Australia.

Without revealing any spoilers, in one scene, this brutal practice is raised as a potential motive in this thrilling crime drama. Live lamb cutting remains one of wool's hidden secrets, and this appearance on 'North Shore' is a rare, mainstream nod to a very real cruelty still happening across Australia.

“WPA’s criticism of the show is a distraction from the real issue: Australia is the last country in the world still allowing live lamb cutting,” said Ward. “This is not just an animal welfare crisis—it’s a global trade and reputational issue.”

The Australian Wool Industry's Broken Promise

Despite a 2004 commitment by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) to end live lamb cutting (mulesing) by 2010, the industry abandoned that promise. Since then, over 140 million lambs have endured this painful mutilation.

Report: The Broken Promise

Report: The Broken Promise

The Australian wool industry’s failure to end live lamb cutting (mulesing), and why governments must step in.

Meanwhile, thousands of Australian wool growers have already transitioned to breeding plain-bodied, flystrike-resistant sheep—proving that a better way is not only possible but already happening.

A 2024 YouGov poll found that 73% of Australians support retailers phasing out live lamb cut wool, with even stronger support among Millennials and Gen X. Over 330 global brands, including Nike, H&M, and Mango, have committed to ending their use of live lamb cut wool by 2030. Some, like H&M, have already achieved this goal.

List of brands who have committed to end live lamb cutting  

“WPA and AWI’s refusal to lead a structured, well-funded transition is leaving Australian wool growers behind in a global market that increasingly demands ethical and sustainable sourcing,” said Ward. “South Africa has already transitioned to 100% non-mulesed wool and is reaping the benefits in international trade.”

FOUR PAWS is calling on the Australian Government to legislate a phase-out of live lamb cutting (mulesing) by 2030 and to provide tailored support to growers to help them transition.

“Wool producers need to be supported with the information, tools on-farm support and leadership they deserve,” said Ward. “If AWI and WPA won’t lead, then the government must step in.”

sheep

10 million lambs in Australia suffer every year.


Time to end live lamb cutting!

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FOUR PAWS Australia is a member of the Australian Alliance for Animals. www.four-paws.org.au

Elise Burgess

Elise Burgess

Head of Communications

elise.burgess@four-paws.org

M: 0423 873 382

FOUR PAWS Australia
GPO Box 2845 
SYDNEY NSW 2001

Main Phone: 1800 454 228

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About FOUR PAWS

FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them.

Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, animals in fashion, farm animals, and wild animals – such as bears, big cats, and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones.

With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA, and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org.au

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