24 November 2025
RSPCA WA has welcomed the State Government's comments in parliament committing to the mandatory use of effective pain relief during mulesing, calling it an important welfare improvement for WA lambs.
The change brings WA more into line with community expectations and best practice farming standards, ensuring lambs undergoing the painful procedure are no longer left to endure unnecessary suffering.
RSPCA WA Chair Lynne Bradshaw said the organisation had long advocated for stronger protections for sheep.
"Pain relief during mulesing should never have been optional," Mrs Bradshaw said.
"This decision means lambs will finally receive the minimum level of care they deserve during a procedure that is known to cause significant pain.
"It's a sensible, overdue step that reflects modern animal-welfare expectations."
Mulesing involves removing folds of skin from around the tail and breech of lambs to reduce the risk of flystrike.
Mrs Bradshaw said while mandating pain relief is an important welfare safeguard, ultimately RSPCA WA would like to see the need for surgical mulesing eliminated altogether.
"Pain relief reduces suffering, but it doesn't remove it," she said.
"WA should continue moving toward breeding and management practices that mean mulesing is no longer required. We encourage producers, industry and government to keep investing in those solutions."
RSPCA WA says the new requirement strengthens public confidence in WA's sheep industries and aligns with the community's expectation that all animals should be protected from avoidable pain.
