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WoolProducers calls on growers to vote at WoolPoll

27 Oct '06

2 min read

WoolProducers has called on Australian woolgrowers to cast their vote at the 2006 WoolPoll without delay, as the future of the industry is in their hands.

The call came as the peak grower group's President Robert Pietsch expressed disappointment at the low level of returned voting papers so far, saying that drought and the depressed state of the prices should be no excuse.

“Whilst it is completely understandable that woolgrowers have a lot of other things on their mind right now, I urge them to take the brief amount of time that is required to fill out the WoolPoll voting kit and return it,” said Mr Pietsch

“There are a lot of big challenges facing the industry right now, but many of which like the weather we can't control, so we are imploring growers to focus on what they can influence.”

“Two of those things right now are the WoolPoll, which will determine how much levy is collected from the industry, and the other is the election for directors of the industry marketing and R&D body Australian Wool Innovation (AWI).”

“Every grower pays this levy and therefore they all should have a very strong interest in how much is collected and how it is spent.”

WoolProducers has recommended to the industry that growers vote for 'at least 2 percent', which means a choice of 2 percent, 2.5 percent or 3 percent.

'We have one of the mostdemocratic systems in Australian agriculture, with a vote every three years for the levy and an open poll annually for directors. But it will only function to its full capacity if people participate.”

“It is a blunt message, but one that has to be delivered to the industry. This is your chance to have a say in the levy, so if you don't vote, don't be disappointed in the outcome.”

WoolProducers has also recommended that growers back the incumbent directors for the AWI board elections – Dr Chris Abell, Mr Wal Merriman and Mr Brian van Rooyen.

WoolProducers

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