ZQ Merino

Unterwegs & Environment

Sustainability Seal

Manufacturer statements

Tatonka

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.

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