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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
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Manufacturer
Color
Price in €
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Properties
  • Merino wool
  • Wool
  • Without hood
  • With hood
  • Thumb holes
  • Other natural fabrics
  • Waterproof
  • Synthetics
  • Cotton

Size

  • XS
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Siren Bikini Women
Icebreaker
Siren Bikini Women
39,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Oasis Glove Liners
Icebreaker
Oasis Glove Liners
35,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • L
  • XL
Siren Bra Women
Icebreaker
Siren Bra Women
49,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
260 Tech Glove Liner
Icebreaker
260 Tech Glove Liner
45,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
Sphere II SS Scoop Tee Women
Icebreaker
Sphere II SS Scoop Tee Women
49,95 €
79,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XL (47-49)
Ski+ Medium
Icebreaker
Ski+ Medium
19,95 €
29,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • L
  • XL
Tech Lite SS Scoop Women
Icebreaker
Tech Lite SS Scoop Women
54,95 €
65,95 €

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
200 Oasis LS Scoop Women
Icebreaker
200 Oasis LS Scoop Women
99,95 €

Colors

Size

  • One size
Pocket Hat
Icebreaker
Pocket Hat
29,95 €

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Siren Tank Women
Icebreaker
Siren Tank Women
59,95 €

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Siren LS Sweetheart Women
Icebreaker
Siren LS Sweetheart Women
79,95 €

Size

  • One size
Flexi Chute
Icebreaker
Flexi Chute
29,95 €

Size

  • XS
Sprite Racerback Bra Women
Icebreaker
Sprite Racerback Bra Women
34,95 €
49,95 €

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Anatomica SS Crewe
Icebreaker
Anatomica SS Crewe
69,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Anatomica SS V
Icebreaker
Anatomica SS V
69,95 €

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Solace LS Scoop Women
Icebreaker
Solace LS Scoop Women
69,95 €
89,95 €

Size

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

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Siren Hipkini Women
Icebreaker
Siren Hipkini Women
39,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
200 Oasis LS Half Zip Women
Icebreaker
200 Oasis LS Half Zip Women
109,95 €

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
Siren SS Sweetheart Women
Icebreaker
Siren SS Sweetheart Women
69,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
200 Oasis SS Crewe
Icebreaker
200 Oasis SS Crewe
89,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Anatomica LS Crewe
Icebreaker
Anatomica LS Crewe
79,95 €

Colors

Size

  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
Tech Lite II SS Scoop Tee Swarming Shapes Women
Icebreaker
Tech Lite II SS Scoop Tee Swarming Shapes Women
54,95 €
85,95 €

Colors

Size

  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • XXL
Anatomica Briefs
Icebreaker
Anatomica Briefs
39,95 €
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