Further information on the two new treatments was released today by AWI chairman, Brian van Rooyen, who announced AWI's development of these technologies in August.

"With the working titles of FST–1 and FST–2, the chemicals act in different ways," Mr van Rooyen said.

"One is a gel that when injected forms a barrier between the sheep's skin and its flesh, eventually leading to that patch of skin contracting and an overall tightening of the breech area without an open wound.

"The second chemical forms an internal suture which leads to skin being painlessly removed without an open wound."

He said that in both cases the area treated sufficiently enlarges the bare breech area and also removes the breech wrinkle of the Merino genotypes, which have been tested so far.

However, Mr van Rooyen said that AWI was not ready to provide more information on the identity of the FST–1 and FST–2 chemicals because necessary patent processes were yet to be finalised.

"New trials on these chemicals will commence at SARDI by the end of September under Animal Ethics Committee approval and APVMA permit PER 7250," he said.

"More information will be made available when AWI has something substantial further to report."