The minimum standard requirement for NewMerino® ‘preferred producer’ suppliers are the five overarching principals of animal care:

- Freedom from thirst and hunger

- Access to adequate shelter

- Freedom to behave naturally

- Freedom from stress, pain and fear

- Prevention or treatment for injury, disease or parasite infestation

Mulesing: Surgical mulesing is specifically not permitted under the NewMerino® certification program. Growers are required to practice alternative strategies to manage the acknowledged fly strike risk in an Australian merino production enterprise.

Breeding strategies to develop plain bodied dual purpose merinos is encouraged.