Research that could lead to the end of mulesing sheep has been awarded a scholarship by the RSPCA for a Dookie student.

Mulesing involves the removal of a strip of skin from around the sheep's backside, stopping wool growth and preventing moisture build-up from urine and faeces which attracts blowflies.

With large farms and large mobs of sheep, regular inspection for fly strike can be difficult and expensive, so mulesing is carried out.

Third year University of Melbourne Dookie Campus Bachelor of Agriculture student Matthew Bollen's research involves a wide management campaign on sheep to try and prevent fly strike, but he will also be evaluating a new anaesthetic to numb pain on sheep after mulesing.

Mr Bollen said the management trial would involve fly traps, extra drenching if needed, counting eggs, closer observation of the sheep, and evaluating the labour and chemical costs involved in non-mulesing prevention of fly strike.

All groups will also have hormone tests to detect the amount of stress they are under.

Mr Bollen said welfare would also be evaluated by behaviour.

Animal rights campaigners, especially People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals, have argued for an international boycott against the Australian wool industry over mulesing.

This has created a great disturbance within the industry, with Australian Wool Innovations and the Australian Wool Growers Association at odds in dealing with the international campaign.

The VFF has said mulesing was the most effective prevention and estimate a ban could lead to up to three million sheep deaths a year.

The Australian wool industry has said it would phase out mulesing by 2010, but there were no guarantees that alternative treatments would be found by that date.

One option is non-surgical mulesing, which involves the injection of a protein that causes the treated skin to contract and cease growing wool.

But a commercial release may be a long way off.

In the other part of Mr Bollen's research, a new anaesthetic foam called Tri-Solfen will be applied to the sheep's wounds after mulesing.

Scientist and lecturer and Mr Bollen's project supervisor Dr Sarah Chaplin said it was important to explore alternatives to enable Australian Merinos to be raised without mulesing, but also without unacceptable deaths.

"Although mulesing is aimed at preventing breech strike, it is anticipated that the improved management required by the unmulesed lambs will also reduce the incidence of fly strike in other areas," Dr Chaplin said.

david.wood@mcmedia.com.au