Taskforce provides updates on mulesing phase out

08 May '08

3 min read

Don Hamblin, Chairman of the Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce Operations Group, has presented at a major international wool industry conference in Beijing on Australia's progress towards the 2010 phase out of mulesing.

“The progress of the Australian wool industry towards the phase out of mulesing is understandably high on this year's agenda,” said Mr Hamblin.

“The eyes of the world's wool industry are very much upon Australia and how we are progressing with alternatives to mulesing. There is a lot at stake for everyone in the wool pipeline, not only Australian woolgrowers.”

Mr Hamblin represented the Taskforce at the 2008 International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO), an annual event hosting key players in the international wool pipeline. Attendees included everyone from woolgrowers to those involved in processing and retail.

Mr Hamblin also briefed attendees on the highly anticipated wool identification system, due out later this year.

“Without doubt the item of most interest was the new National woolgrower declaration system that has been put in place by the Australian industry from 1 July this year, which will allow growers to identify the mulesing status of their wool. Growers will be able to declare either that they have ceased mulesing on their property or that their wool is from sheep that were not mulesed,” said Mr Hamblin.

“This information will be recorded in sale catalogues and transmitted electronically to buyers. This major step was very well received by the international community and will be very significant in helping them to keep processing and selling woollen apparel.”

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