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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

Colors

Size

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Icebreaker Tech Lite II SS Tee Cadence Paths Women
Icebreaker
Tech Lite II SS Tee Cadence Paths Women
59,95 €
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
Icebreaker 125 Sprite Racerback Bra Women
Icebreaker
125 Sprite Racerback Bra Women
49,95 €

Colors

Size

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

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • L
  • XL
Icebreaker 200 Oasis LS Crewe Women Ski Circle
Icebreaker
200 Oasis LS Crewe Women Ski Circle
79,95 €
109,95 €

Colors

Size

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

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Icebreaker Tech Lite II SS Tee Trailhead
Icebreaker
Tech Lite II SS Tee Trailhead
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
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  • XXL
Icebreaker 125 Cool-Lite Anatomica Trunks
Icebreaker
125 Cool-Lite Anatomica Trunks
39,95 €

Colors

Size

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

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Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Icebreaker Anatomica Cool-Lite Boxers
Icebreaker
Anatomica Cool-Lite Boxers
45,95 €

Colors

Size

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

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Icebreaker 125 Sprite Hipster Women
Icebreaker
125 Sprite Hipster Women
39,95 €

Colors

Size

  • 3-4 (104 Kinder)
  • 5-6 (116 Kinder)
  • 7-8 (128 Kinder)
  • 9-10 (140 Kinder)
  • 11-12 (152 Kinder)
  • 13-14 (164 Kinder)
Icebreaker 200 Oasis Leggings Kids
Icebreaker
200 Oasis Leggings Kids
49,95 €

Colors

Size

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

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Icebreaker Fastray High Rise Tights Women
Icebreaker
Fastray High Rise Tights Women
109,95 €

Colors

Size

  • 3-4 (104 Kinder)
  • 5-6 (116 Kinder)
  • 9-10 (140 Kinder)
Icebreaker 200 Oasis LS Crewe Kids
Icebreaker
200 Oasis LS Crewe Kids
49,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
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  • XXL
Icebreaker Dawnder LS Flannel Shirt
Icebreaker
Dawnder LS Flannel Shirt
199,95 €

Colors

Size

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  • XXL
Icebreaker Tech Lite III SS Tee Tech Head
Icebreaker
Tech Lite III SS Tee Tech Head
85,95 €

Colors

Size

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

Colors

Size

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

Colors

Size

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  • XL
  • XXL
Icebreaker 200 Oasis Leggings with Fly
Icebreaker
200 Oasis Leggings with Fly
99,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
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  • XL
Icebreaker Womens Tech Lite III SS Relax Tee
Icebreaker
Womens Tech Lite III SS Relax Tee
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
Icebreaker Wave SS Tee Stripe Women
Icebreaker
Wave SS Tee Stripe Women
59,95 €
85,95 €

Colors

Size

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  • XXL
Icebreaker Tech Lite II SS Tee Skiing Yeti
Icebreaker
Tech Lite II SS Tee Skiing Yeti
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • One size
Icebreaker Beanie
Icebreaker
Beanie
23,95 €
39,95 €
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