Wool Industry Restructuring Is Welcome News

Plans to restructure the wool industry to deliver a commercial focus have been welcomed by Opposition Agriculture Spokesman Gavan Herlihy.

The recommendations of the McKinsey Report totally vindicate the action taken by the previous National Government in their review of Producer Boards, where it called for commercial structures to replace the politically dominated Producer Boards

Past attempts to restructure the wool industry have been thwarted by farmer groups being pitched against farmer groups. It is to be hoped that farmers provide government administrators with a clear signal as to whether the recommended changes have farmer support. It will then be up to the Parliamentary process to deliver the necessary statutory changes to make the new vision of the industry a reality.

"The Wool Board's current political structure has not been able to deliver the commercial outcomes sought by its growers," said Mr Herlihy.

"I urge growers to become immersed in the debate that must be had in the rural sector before farmers vote in August.

"The way forward will be for farmers to be committed to vertically integrated marketing companies," Mr Herlihy says.

Ends

© Scoop Media