Media Release
4 December 2009
Disappointment at FRST wool consortium decision – WRONZ
The Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ) is disappointed that the Foundation for Research Science and
Technology (FRST) has decided not to proceed with funding for a Wool Consortium.
WRONZ Chairman, David Douglas said the decision was a significant blow to an industry that depended on research to help
it regain its economic potential.
“WRONZ has been investing up to $1.5 million a year in research projects beyond the farm gate for the post harvest wool
industry, and it is extremely disappointing to hear now that we will not be able to attract government funding alongside
that of industry.
“It appears FRST has turned down the application for consortium funding for wool research on the basis that farmers
voted down the wool levy in the Meat & Wool New Zealand Referendum in August.
“If this is the case, then those who campaigned for a no vote have ensured the sector will be poorer as a result. With
the loss of the grower levy of $6.4 million, plus the $5 million of matching government money per annum, this additional
loss of $1.5 million will make it even more difficult for the sector to return to prosperity.
“If the wool levy and the FRST funding had been successful, the industry would then have had $6.5 million of Government
funding on top of grower levy funds of $6.4 million. This is a total loss of $12.9 million not now available to the wool
industry each year.
“The question I am asking is where are the people that have said others will fill the gap left by no grower levy money?
Their silence is deafening. Welcome to the real world.
Mr Douglas said on the basis of the Government’s decision to walk away from wool research, WRONZ would need to revisit
its planned investments for the coming year and decide whether the loss of government money will mean that cuts will
have to be made to existing activities.
ENDS