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ZQ Merino

What is ZQ Merino?

Animal welfare for merino wool production


Merino wool is also popular in the outdoor industry due to its numerous positive properties. Unfortunately the animal-abusing "Mulesing" is often mentioned in the same breath. But what exactly is that?

Mulesing is a controversial but widespread "operative treatment", in which the ranchers force live sheep onto their backs and carve huge chunks of skin away from the animals’ backsides. This is to protect the sheep (especially Merino sheep which have woolly wrinkles and folds in their skin) from flystrike.

This procedure is terribly painful - and often performed without any pain killers whatsoever. In Germany, this procedure is strictly forbidden, but in wool exporting countries - such as Australia - it is still very frequent. Meanwhile more and more outdoor brands have reacted and take a stand against Mulesing. And the list of brands that offer mulesing-free products is getting longer. Various certifications give consumers confidence to get a merino product which has been produced in an ethically correct way. One of the most important certificates is the ZQ certificate.

The ZQ certificate



The ZQ certificate has been awarded by the non-profit organization New Zealand Merino Company since 2005. It ensures compliance with the highest international standards on animal welfare, environmental care and social sustainability - along the entire production chain. The ZQ certificate guarantees mulesing does not occur. The ZQ accreditation programme requires growers to take account of their animals five basic freedoms: Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition, provision of appropriate comfort and shelter, prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment of injury, disease or infestation with parasites, freedom from distress and ability to display normal patterns of behavior. In addition, the certificate guarantees the use of merino fibre of the very highest quality and performance. ZQ Merino fibre is traceable throughout the supply chain - right back to the farm in New Zealand where the merino wool was sourced.

Control

All ZQ Merino accredited farms are audited every 3-5 years. In addition a random selection are audited annually to ensure that the integrity of the programme is maintained. Some of these audits are conducted by a veterinarian focusing specifically on the animal welfare and health components of the programme.

Conclusion

With its strict requirements and continuous controls the ZQ certificate is reliable - especially concerning animal welfare. The consumer can be sure that the ZQ-certified product is mulesing-free and that the sheep has been treated well - in an ethically correct way.

ZQ Merino-Produkte

All sizes
  • 44
  • 46
  • S
  • 48
  • 50
  • M
  • 52
  • 54
  • L
  • 56
  • 58
  • XL
  • 60
  • 62
  • XXL
  • 40
  • 42
  • 36
  • 38
  • 34
  • XS
Manufacturer
Color
Price in €
-
Properties
  • Merino wool
  • Wool
  • With hood
  • Without hood
  • Thumb holes
  • Other natural fabrics
  • Waterproof
  • Synthetics
  • Cotton

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Spector SS Crewe Seven Summits
Icebreaker
Spector SS Crewe Seven Summits
65,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Merino 560 RealFleece Elemental II Zip Hoodie
Icebreaker
Merino 560 RealFleece Elemental II Zip Hoodie
179,95 €
269,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XXL
2.5L Civetta Jacket Men
Ortovox
2.5L Civetta Jacket Men
199,95 €
299,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Merino 260 Quantum IV LS Zip Hoodie Women
Icebreaker
Merino 260 Quantum IV LS Zip Hoodie Women
139,95 €
209,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Tech Lite SS Tee Polar Paddle
Icebreaker
Tech Lite SS Tee Polar Paddle
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
Womens Sphere III SS Tee
Icebreaker
Womens Sphere III SS Tee
54,95 €
79,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Tech Lite III SS Tee
Icebreaker
Tech Lite III SS Tee
79,95 €

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Sphere III LS Tee
Icebreaker
Sphere III LS Tee
89,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Tech Lite SS Tee Pukaki Reflected
Icebreaker
Tech Lite SS Tee Pukaki Reflected
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Sphere III SS Tee
Icebreaker
Sphere III SS Tee
79,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Quantum IV LS Zip Hoodie
Icebreaker
Quantum IV LS Zip Hoodie
209,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
260 Tech LS Crewe
Icebreaker
260 Tech LS Crewe
119,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Sphere III SS Tee Vision Grid
Icebreaker
Sphere III SS Tee Vision Grid
59,95 €
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
Mens Core SS Tee
Icebreaker
Mens Core SS Tee
39,95 €
55,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Merino 560 RealFleece Elemental II Zip Hoodie Women
Icebreaker
Merino 560 RealFleece Elemental II Zip Hoodie Women
179,95 €
269,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Womens Drayden Reversible SS Top
Icebreaker
Womens Drayden Reversible SS Top
89,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Sphere SS Tee Across the Peaks
Icebreaker
Sphere SS Tee Across the Peaks
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
Tech Lite III SS Tee Aurora Glow
Icebreaker
Tech Lite III SS Tee Aurora Glow
54,95 €
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
Dowlas SS Crewe Men
Icebreaker
Dowlas SS Crewe Men
64,95 €
99,95 €

Colors

Size

  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Descender LS Zip Hoodie
Icebreaker
Descender LS Zip Hoodie
179,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Womens Sphere III LS Tee
Icebreaker
Womens Sphere III LS Tee
89,95 €

Colors

Size

  • L
  • XL
Utility Explore SS Crewe Stripe Women
Icebreaker
Utility Explore SS Crewe Stripe Women
59,95 €
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Sphere II Tank Women
Icebreaker
Sphere II Tank Women
44,95 €
59,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Womens Tech Lite SS Tee Single Line Camp
Icebreaker
Womens Tech Lite SS Tee Single Line Camp
85,95 €
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