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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

  • XL
Rewoolution Jolly Women
Rewoolution
Jolly Women
74,95 €
99,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
Icebreaker Tech Lite SS Scoop Tour Club 1995
Icebreaker
Tech Lite SS Scoop Tour Club 1995
49,95 €
75,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • L
Icebreaker Tech Lite SS Scoop Nature Women
Icebreaker
Tech Lite SS Scoop Nature Women
54,95 €
75,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • XL
Icebreaker Sphere III SS Tee Trail Climb
Icebreaker
Sphere III SS Tee Trail Climb
64,95 €
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • M
  • L
  • XL
Icebreaker Solace Tank Women
Icebreaker
Solace Tank Women
59,95 €
75,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • L
Icebreaker Merino Linen SS Tee Women
Icebreaker
Merino Linen SS Tee Women
64,95 €
99,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XXL
Icebreaker Tech Lite II SS Tee Skiing Yeti
Icebreaker
Tech Lite II SS Tee Skiing Yeti
54,95 €
85,95 €

Colors

Size

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

Colors

Size

  • XL
Icebreaker Womens Yanni Sleeveless Dress
Icebreaker
Womens Yanni Sleeveless Dress
69,95 €
89,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
Icebreaker Tech Lite SS Low Crewe Farm Dog Women
Icebreaker
Tech Lite SS Low Crewe Farm Dog Women
49,95 €
75,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
Icebreaker Tech Lite III SS Tee Peak Glow
Icebreaker
Tech Lite III SS Tee Peak Glow
59,95 €
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XXL
Icebreaker Mens Tech Lite II LS Tee Ski Fields
Icebreaker
Mens Tech Lite II LS Tee Ski Fields
59,95 €
99,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
Icebreaker Elemental LS Zip Hood
Icebreaker
Elemental LS Zip Hood
189,95 €
249,95 €

Colors

Size

  • L
Icebreaker Deice LS Turtleneck Women
Icebreaker
Deice LS Turtleneck Women
99,95 €
139,95 €

Colors

Size

  • L
Icebreaker 200 Oasis LS Crewe Women Move to Natural
Icebreaker
200 Oasis LS Crewe Women Move to Natural
69,95 €
99,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XXL
Icebreaker 200 Oasis LS Crewe Artist Tee
Icebreaker
200 Oasis LS Crewe Artist Tee
69,95 €
99,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XXL
Icebreaker 150 Zone SS Crewe
Icebreaker
150 Zone SS Crewe
69,95 €
89,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Icebreaker Flaxen LS Hooded Pullover Sweater Women
Icebreaker
Flaxen LS Hooded Pullover Sweater Women
99,95 €
149,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • XL
Rewoolution Suri Women
Rewoolution
Suri Women
24,95 €
34,95 €

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • XL
Icebreaker Dowlas SS Crewe Women
Icebreaker
Dowlas SS Crewe Women
64,95 €
99,95 €

Colors

Size

  • One size
Icebreaker Vela Cuff Beanie
Icebreaker
Vela Cuff Beanie
24,95 €
39,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XXL
Icebreaker Tech Lite II SS Tee Polar Paddle
Icebreaker
Tech Lite II SS Tee Polar Paddle
59,95 €
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
Icebreaker Destiny SS Women
Icebreaker
Destiny SS Women
49,95 €
99,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
Icebreaker Tech Lite SS Scoop Women Graphic Collection
Icebreaker
Tech Lite SS Scoop Women Graphic Collection
49,95 €
75,95 €
Unterwegs der Outdoor-Shop