Synopsis of Dr. Matt Makin's Presentation — The latest scientific research indicates that all animals experience some form of pain, but due to the hard wired nature of their nervous systems, the sensitivity of their pain receptors, the different levels brain function in different species - the amount of pain experienced is highly variable. Even though complete elimination of pain in individual animals may not be obtainable or desirable, prevention and alleviation of animal pain and suffering as an important and tenable therapeutic goal that we all (vets and farmers) should consider. You can download the presentation here.

Synopsis of Paul Walton's Presentation — Our sheep are very important to us and we only mules them because it improves their well being by reducing the chance of fly strike for their entire life - unlike Europe we don't get subsidised to pay shepherd to sit on his ass. I believe that it is important to mules lambs while they are young and to only make the operation as small as practical. After the last three weeks of using Tri-Solfen I have noticed that the lambs mothered up much quicker than usual which to me is the main worry about the whole mulesing operation. You can download the presentation here.

Wool and sheep industry welcomes animal rights group support for mulesing — The news that Animal Liberation will support the Australian wool and sheep industry approach to mulesing has been welcomed by the Industry Taskforce.

Wool Producers President Robert Pietsch, speaking on behalf of the Taskforce, said Animal Liberation's announcement was prompted by a new anaesthetic spray. Early experiments suggest the spray will reduce the pain associated with mulesing.

"While we recognise that the spray has yet to receive regulatory approval prior to commercial release, it is a very positive development," Mr Pietsch said.

"The statements by Animal Liberation that it can accept the industry's timetable for mulesing to continue, with the use of the new spray, until the current procedure is phased out by 2010 is also welcome."

Mr Pietsch said the undertaking by the animal rights group to deliver information about the spray to United States animal rights organisation People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has the best wishes of the Taskforce. "To date PETA has not been willing to consider any of the very useful research and development effort funded by industry and government, including research into pain relief measures," Mr Pietsch said. You can find the letter here.