THE Australian wool industry must stay focused on the 2010 deadline to phase out mulesing, the RSPCA says.

RSPCA Australia chief executive, Heather Neil, said the industry had made significant progress in developing more humane alternatives to reducing the risks of flystrike. 

"The industry has come a long way in such a short period of time so it would be very disappointing if momentum was lost," Ms Neil said.

She said the RSPCA supported the research that was underway and urged the industry to continue to fund the work, especially injectable treatments, clips and the breeding of bare breach sheep.

"We know that consumers throughout the world are increasingly interested in animal welfare issues, whether they relate to food or fibre, so new approaches to managing the risks of flystrike across Australia are essential,” Ms Neil said.

"An increasing number of Australian wool growers are responding to this, already adopting ways to combat the potentially fatal flystrike with more humane husbandry procedures and closer management."