Peak woolgrower representative body, WoolProducers Australia has been working to ensure the wool industry, from production, harvesting, selling and exporting can continue to operate in these uncertain times.
WoolProducers President Mr Ed Storey said, ‘In this unprecedented environment, we are trying to provide surety to our producers that the wool industry will continue to operate’.
WoolProducers has initiated several teleconferences with supply-chain partners to undertake a number of advocacy activities with the aim of ensuring that the wool industry is considered an essential industry during the current COVID-19 situation.
‘WoolProducers has coordinated representatives from the domestic wool trade to highlight the economic, employment and animal welfare benefits that come from keeping the wool industry operational to both Federal and State Governments.’ Mr Storey said.
WoolProducers has also been involved in a number of working groups and collaborative activities to demonstrate the wool industry’s commitment to government health directives to mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
Mr Storey said, ‘We have been working with the brokers, exporters, handlers, AWEX and AWTA to put in place protocols and contingency measures to safeguard the continued transaction of wool’.
‘WoolProducers also facilitated a working group with shearing contractor associations, AWEX and SPA to develop industry wide guidance for both woolgrowers and shed staff for minimising risks around wool harvesting’.
‘While there is no such thing as zero risk, we know that if everybody from growers, roustabouts to contractors do their bit by observing social distancing and implementing hygiene regimes, that we are giving the industry the best change at continued operations.’ Mr Storey said.
WoolProducers has also updated their website to provide the latest wool industry specific advice and guidance, which can be found at https://woolproducers.com.au/covid-19/
‘WoolProducers understands that this is an evolving issue and that things can change in a matter of hours. What we are trying to achieve is that we can continue to produce, harvest and transact wool for the longest time possible’. Mr Storey said.
-Wool Producers