Combining Forces For Wool

Media Release

1 March 2010

Meat & Wool New Zealand and Federated Farmers unite for wool

Meat & Wool New Zealand and Federated Farmers of New Zealand are joining forces to support wool industry rescue efforts.

The two organisations will work together to advocate for farmer interests to improve the fortunes of the New Zealand strong wool industry, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre Chairman, Bruce Wills, and Meat & Wool New Zealand Chairman, Mike Petersen, have said.

The collaboration comes as the loss of the wool levy is about to take effect (April 2010) and follows the recommendations of the Wool Industry Taskforce.

“Both our organisations are supportive of the taskforce process and its recommendations and we are pleased to see support for our long-held views on the need for targeted marketing and promotion of wool and woollen products,” said Mike Petersen.

Bruce Wills said there was a clear need for a “clean slate” approach to forming a collective single voice for the wider wool industry.

“This will require industry representative bodies objectively assessing whether they are adding value to the sector,” he said.

Mr Petersen said both organisations were urging the commercial sector to put aside their differences and offer farmers a unified approach to marketing and procurement so that better farm gate prices can be secured.

“Farmers accept this will require investment, and are prepared to fund this type of activity if they can see a coordinated effort by companies.”

Mr Wills said both Federated Farmers and Meat & Wool New Zealand will be encouraging Wool Partners International and Elders to continue their recently announced merger talks.

“Recent price rises for wool, trumpeted by the exporting sector is good news, but still insufficient for farmers to have the confidence to reinvest in wool.  More is required and the gains need to be dollars per kg not cents per kg.

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