This special breed of sheep is descended from a Spanish breed. Merinos first arrived in Australia in 1797 – Captain Waterhouse of the Reliance had purchased several Merinos at the Cape of Good Hope on his way to Australia. Merinos can survive in areas where there is poor rainfall and the pasture is not very good, while the quality of their wool is very high. The Merino has become one of the most important breeds of sheep in Australia. In the 1920s some wool-growers were concerned that if other countries also had lots of Merinos and were able to breed such good wool, Australian farmers would no longer be able to sell so much of their own wool. Wool was such an important part of Australia’s economy that the government agreed. So in 1929 the export of Merinos from Australia to other countries was banned. The ban continued until 1970. By this time some breeders wanted to be able to sell their sheep overseas. People in the industry still do not agree about whether any Merinos should be exported or not. Even now, only a very small number of Merinos may be exported each year.