Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) commissioned the independent study, conducted by a team of veterinary scientists at the University of Sydney.

The research examined the effects of the clips on Merino lambs compared to surgical mulesing.

"To the naked eye, the plastic clips have been shown by us and others to significantly reduce the wool cover around the tail and breech - a major factor associated with flystrike in Merinos," said senior lecturer in veterinary microbiology Dr Katrina Bosward.

"The clips produced well healed linear scars, with reasonable tightening of the skin that may be adequate for the prevention of flystrike."

The vet admitted the wrinkled skin and dense thick wool and moisture around the breech and tail areas of Merinos were a "blowfly breeding paradise".

* Extract from Stock & Land, November 20 edition.