A wool focused workshop, instigated by WoolProducers Australia, was held on Friday, 21 February in Fremantle to bring home the reality of the disastrous government decision to ban the live export of sheep by sea and the impacts on the wool industry.
The workshop, which was the final meeting held as part of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) co-design consultations for assistance measures for transition, saw over 20 wool industry representatives from growers, shearers, wool brokers, wool exporters and AWTA come together and highlight the devastating impacts this ban is already having on this industry in terms of confidence.
WoolProducers CEO, Ms Jo Hall, who travelled to Fremantle for the workshop said, “WoolProducers have been involved in efforts to have this ill-conceived policy overturned since day one, because we knew what impacts this decision would have on the wool industry, particularly in Western Australia.”
“But to actually sit in the room and hear first-hand how this is affecting not only individual sectors of the industry, but individual businesses and the people they support, really rammed home the devastation that this decision will have and the decimation of confidence that it has already had – was quite confronting and upsetting.”
The workshop enabled participants to raise the significant issues that are facing the WA wool industry on the back of this ban, along with a session where views were sought on what the government should spend the $97.3 million for producers and supply chain transition on.
Ms Hall said, “There were people who had built successful businesses over many years in the room, there were people who at the mid-point of their working life had made their entire careers in the wool industry and there were also young people who have pinned their futures on, and have invested in, being involved in the wool industry.”
“Many of these people and their businesses are specialised wool operations; how does a shearer, a wool broker or wool exporter pivot their skills and experience to other industries? What are they meant to transition to? No amount of money, let alone the paltry package currently on offer, can address these issues – the only meaningful thing that can be done is for the government to reverse the ban.” Ms Hall said.
WoolProducers would like to thank DAFF and the consultants, ThinkPlace, for responding to our request in convening this workshop and listening to the concerns of our industry.
“We can only hope that the message back to Canberra from these consultations is clear - reverse the ban and let us get on with our business of producing and exporting the world’s best wool.” Ms Hall said.
Ends
Media contacts:
Jo Hall, CEO– 0488 554 811
Adam Dawes, General Manager – 0427 468 303
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.