The wool industry has set 2010 as the target date for ending the surgical mulesing of Australian sheep.

But DPI executive director of future farming systems research, Ron Prestidge, says the DPI has decided flocks will no longer be mulesed from now on.

"DPI is taking a leadership role by developing and implementing strategies to combat flystrike without the use of surgical mulesing on its research farms," Dr Prestidge said.

"The researchers will use the best combination of a range of techniques including selective breeding programs, possible chemical applications, more intensive monitoring of flocks, fly traps, plastic clips and better control of scouring, crutching and shearing.

"As environmental variations across the State, such as higher rainfall and warmer temperatures will influence the combination of techniques used and different breeds of sheep will also need parasite management programs tailored to the breed."

There are 5900 breeding ewes on the DPI's research stations at Hamilton, Rutherglen and Werribee.

"All three research farms have been testing alternatives and the mulesing has stopped altogether at Hamilton, the only DPI farm where it has been in use," Dr Prestidge said.

"Each of the farms will develop flystrike prevention and management program that is tailored to specific sheep enterprises at each location."