Wool Strategy Group to address suggestions

26/8/94

The State Government's Wool Strategy Group will address suggestions made by a delegation of international wool processors, spinners and retailers to improve the Western Australian wool industry.

The visit to WA by 12 executives from some of the world's biggest wool companies in Italy, France, Germany, the UK and Japan, was another step in the Wool Strategy Group's campaign to lift the profile of this State's wool industry.

The visitors spent three days holding discussion with the WA wool trade, inspecting wool properties in agricultural and pastoral areas, and learning about wool production and shearing techniques.

The group has suggested ways to enhance WA's position as a leader in quality management techniques, innovative marketing and meeting the specific needs of processors and retailers.

Primary Industry Minister Monty House, who invited the delegation to WA, said the visit had been a great success and would benefit the industry.

"The meetings had a very positive impact on the delegation's understanding of the professional attitude of WA woolgrowers and how technologically advanced the State's wool industry is," Mr House said.

"By linking local growers with these major users of our wool and improving communication, we can make progress on solving problems facing the industry.

"It also dispelled misconceptions about the quality of WA wool which some visitors had been told was inferior to that from the Eastern States."

Collectively, the delegation markets about 40 per cent of Western Australia's $650 million annual wool production.

Mr House said the delegation had urged the WA industry to:

·       continue to improve wool quality, particularly consistent length and strength fibre, reduce vegetable matter, and general handling hygiene;

·       conduct more trial projects between groups of growers and processors to evaluate the processing performance of WA's wool and improve the information flow;

·       continue to reduce wool contamination, especially hay baling twine, polypropylene woolpack material and dark fibres;

·       expand the communication flow between growers, merchants, processors, spinners and retailers by holding regular conferences, tours of other woolgrowing methods and processing plants by growers and processors;

·       encourage farmers and merchants to prepare bigger and more consistent consignments of wool; and -

·       increase objective measurement of wool by growers to meet processors specifications and requirements.

Mr House said the visitors had recognised the effort by WA to strengthen the relationship between all sectors of the wool pipeline.

This would allow the WA industry to stay ahead in a highly competitive world market place and enhance strategic alliances with major wool customers.

Mr House said based on the success of this tour, a similar visit was being considered for other processors and retailers.

Media contact: Will Henwood (09) 481 2044 or (09) 222 9595