Woolgrowers, brokers, exporters and service providers from the national and Western Australian wool industry have come together to hold crisis talks on the future of our great industry following the devastating impacts of the live sheep export ban.
The WA Minister for Agriculture the Hon Jackie Jarvis was invited to attend to hear firsthand what is currently happening to the wool industry, but a scheduling issue meant that neither her nor a representative from her office could be present.
WoolProducers CEO, Ms Jo Hall said, “We only hear the governments, both at a state and national level, speak of creating new markets for boxed meat and value adding meat processing domestically – nowhere do we hear of what is being done to address the critical issues that are impacting the wool industry.”
“We have previously raised these issues with Ministers Watt, Collins and Jarvis, but it continues to fall on deaf ears, while we are watching the decimation of the Western Australian wool industry in real time.”
WA Merinos Vice-President Mr Grantly Mullan also addressed the meeting, outlining the decline in sales figures for Western Merino seed stock producers.
“During the past 2-years the number of WA stud Merino rams sold has declined from 13,652 to an estimated 6,009 rams.”
“The wool industry has a proud history, and we have to remain positive about our future because it is such a great product, but our governments must start acknowledging what this decision is doing to not only the confidence of our industry, but also decisions that are being made on farm right now.” Mr Mullan said.
Mr Darren Spencer, President of the Western Australian Shearing Industry Association (WASIA) painted the grim picture facing the wool harvesting sector, citing figures from a recent industry survey.
“We’ve heard directly from 27 members that just over 70% of them were shearing less than what they usually do which has resulted in 193,500 less sheep being shorn, and many of their producer clients reporting that they have not joined their flock this year.”
“We have consistently been telling governments that this is not only about the meat and wool trade, but this will also impact regional communities and the people living within in them - you take one shearing team out, that’s 10 people out of your community. The federal government has said that this decision was based on animal welfare, but what about the impacts on the welfare of the people involved?” Mr Spencer said.
National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia President Mr Rowan Woods said, “While we have understood the challenges that our Western Australian members have been facing, to come over and hear firsthand the difficulties that the entire Western wool supply-chain are experiencing has been alarming to say the least.”
“It is important that our Western Australian colleagues know that we stand with them from a national perspective. We will continue to have conversations to determine how we can practically assist the fight against the live export ban.” Mr Woods said.
These sentiments were supported by the release of the October Sheep Producers Sentiment Survey, which found on a national basis that woolgrower Nett Sentiment has dropped another 4 points to minus 19, while Western Australian woolgrower sentiment sits at a massive minus 30.
“Since the decision to ban live exports of sheep was first spoken about by the Albanese government, WA producers have consistently shown declining confidence and involvement in the wool industry, over and above their other state counterparts.”
“While the government continues to suggest that there are other factors, such as climatic and market conditions that have led to this low sentiment, there are a number of other states that are facing the same external challenges, which therefore means the WA crisis of confidence can only be attributed to the ill-conceived ban on a viable trade”. Ms Hall said.
Ends
Media contacts:
Jo Hall, WoolProducers – 0488 554 811
Grantly Mullen, Stud Merino Breeders Association of WA – 0427 890 039
Darren Spencer, Western Australian Shearing Industry Association – 0428 651 339
Rowan Woods, National Council Wool Selling Brokers of Australia – 0428 638 561
About WoolProducers’ Australia
WoolProducers plays a critical role in working closely with companies and entities funded by woolgrower funds including compulsory levies or fees for service.
Its mission is to develop constructive and profitable outcomes for woolgrowers nationally.
The agency is responsible for appointing a director to each of the Australian Wool Exchange and the Australia Wool Testing Authority, promoting good corporate governance and ensuring that the interests of growers are met.
WoolProducers maintains a working relationship with Australian Wool Innovation as the voice of woolgrower shareholders. It aims to contribute to AWI’s programs for the benefit of growers, promoting responsible use of levy funds and ensuring good corporate governance.
WoolProducers is the sole wool industry member of Animal Health Australia, and as such, carries a significant responsibility for decision making on behalf of the industry in the event of an emergency animal disease outbreak.
As the only wool grower organisation with membership of the National Farmers’ Federation, WoolProducers is responsible for providing key policy advice on behalf of our members, and other wool growers, to Australia’s peak farm body.
WoolProducers also works closely with the Federal Government Departments on key issues such as animal health and welfare, biosecurity, pest management control, natural resource management, drought preparedness, emergency animal disease outbreak preparedness and industry development, including research, trade and logistics.
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