|
|
|
Rabbit City seeks investors
18 Mar 2003
Rabbit City, reportedly the largest commercial Angora fibre rabbitry in the world, is finally seeking investors after a 14-month quarantine period. Rabbit City is owned and operated by Warwick Graves and is situated at the old abattoir in Guyra. It currently has around 1,150 imported French Angora breeding rabbits.
Mr Graves says the rabbitry was pushed to the brink of insolvency by AQIS's quarantine restrictions but is now ready to take on investors. He hopes to expand rapidly, as well as sell 400 kilograms of stockpiled premium Angora fibre. Within three to five years, Rabbit City should house up to 250,000 Angoras, each producing more than one kilo of fleece per year measuring down to nine micron and finer. Most of the fibre, potentially up to 300 tonnes a year, is intended for use in blends with superfine Merino wool, creating a premium natural apparel cloth.
Limited testing of Rabbit City stock has shown a range of 9-13 micron, with the fibre displaying the sought-after quality of "jauresse" or French Angora "spikiness".
Guyra mayor Robin Jackson said she expects the rabbitry and ancillary services will boost the area's economy and provide jobs.
The Land, 13/3/03.
|
|
