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Wool producers to take charge of their destiny: AWI
18 Oct 2002
Australian Wool Innovation's managing director, Col Dorber, said yesterday that producers need to change their attitude and take charge of their own destinies. Of major importance is a move towards more environmentally sustainable farming practices, he said. Farmers shouldn't wait around for some external body to tell them how to fix up their businesses, he said, but take charge themselves; it's not the government's job any more.
About 495 kilograms of greasy raw wool are expected to be produced over 2002-2003, of which 98 per cent will be exported in an unfinished state. At current prices this is worth almost $5 billion, Mr Dorber said, which is down about 11 per cent on the estimate we announced in April, due to the drought. AWI will release a drought strategy for wool producers next week.
One farmer, Andrew Southwell, who produces specialist merino wool in New South Wales's southern highlands, agrees that "as farmers we are accountable for what we do on our farm". He has adopted environmentally sustainable practices in order to counter salinity problems on his farm.
Tradingroom.com.au, 18/10/02.
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