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AWI supports retention of levy
18 Aug 2003
Australian Wool Innovation declared its support for retaining the 2 per cent grower levy on gross wool proceeds in the WoolPoll 2003 debate last week. But growers do not really know what this means: they won't be able to make an informed judgment about any of the five possible levy options - 0, 1, 1.5, 2 or 3 per cent - until the official voter information pack is released in September.
Last week, AWI Chairman Ian McLachlan said the organisation had not taken the decision to back a 2 per cent levy lightly. It would actually mean a lower income for AWI than in previous years, but it is the minimum necessary for the nation's wool industry to keep pace with technological change, consumer demand, and to continually improve the fibre.
Mr McLachlan said Australian producers have to face the fact that research funding is their responsibility, as unlike the red meat, grain and cotton industries, which all benefit from research funded by many countries, Australia is the major provider of wool R&D funding in the world.
In response to AWI's recommendation, the NSW Farmers' Federation is calling for the WoolPoll panel to release information about the impact of different funding levels quickly, so growers can make informed decisions about potential changes.
WoolPoll 2003 voting will close on November 7, 2003.
Stock & Land, 16/8/03.
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