The latest statistics on mulesing status from AWEX shows that the proportion of wool offered with a National Wool Declaration in May hit 73% for the month, the highest proportion ever. Furthermore, 55% of wool offered at auction declared as Non Mulesed (NM), Pain Relief (PR) or Ceased Mulesing (CM), also the highest ever. NM-declared wool was 13.6% of the wool offered (a monthly record), PR was 37.9% of all wool offered and CM was 3% of wool offered at auction.

For the 11 months to May, the share of wool with an NWD was 70% while 50.6% of all wool offered at auction this season was NM, PR or CM. This compares with shares of 66% and 45.3% respectively in 2017/18. These increased shares come as the total offerings of first-hand offered wool is 15% lower this season to date. The volume of NM-declared wool was down by just 3% and the volume of PR-declared wool was 4% lower. The volume of CM-declared wool was down by 22%. The volume of wool without a National Wool Declaration fell by 26%.

These are excellent gains in the use of the National Wool Declaration. More still needs to be done, and no doubt this will be considered closely during the 2019 Review of the NWD being conducted by AWEX. NCWSBA will be making a submission to the Review.

Further details, including a chart showing the number of bales offered at auction with each mulesing status and the % change this season, is given in the full edition of the NCWSBA Weekly Newsletter. Available to NCWSBA members.