Wool producers now have the option of using a spray to provide short term pain relief to freshly mulesed lambs.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has approved, under permit, the use of Tri-Sulven, an anaesthetic and antiseptic gel which can be prescribed for producers and their contractors by veterinarians.

Ross Burton, the NSW Department of Primary Industries Director of Animal Welfare, said spraying the gel on wounds following mulesing may provide short term relief to the pain associated with mulesing.

“While the treatment is not the solution to the mulesing issue, it may be a useful tool which can be used now, while scientists continue research into acceptable alternatives,” he said.

“Alternatives currently being investigated include the needlefree delivery of collagenase protein to the skin of the breech.

“This project, if successful, could be available to wool producers as early as 2007.

“Generating options which allow producers to make choices about whether they continue to surgically mules, or alleviate pain caused by the procedure, is an important step in addressing the concerns of animal welfare lobby groups and in ensuring sustainability of the merino industry.”

Contact Ian Evans, (03) 5881 9920.

This story appears Agriculture Today.