AWI chairman releases statement
Chairman at Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), Brian van Rooyen, has sent an open letter to international retailers and wool industry stakeholders. The letter shows full support for Australian woolgrowers in their aim to produce an ethical natural fibre that meets the commitments made to international retailers.
According to Mr van Rooyan: “There will be alternatives to mulesing ready for adoption prior to 2010 and they provide very significant animal welfare benefits. Progress is being made on other alternatives such as breeding and selection. Already 23% of Australian wool producing properties do not intend to mules in 2008. In the interim, pain relief is being widely used and promoted.
“They well appreciate that woolgrowers are mindful of adapting their production systems and that a non-mulesed wool market will be operating through the Australian auction system from July 2008 with support from AWEX.
“The retailers also know that 32% of lambs born this year will not be mulesed.”
Mr van Rooyen also said that a letter received from animal rights activist group PETA has been received, and that a reply has been sent.
“We’ve informed PETA that the resolve of AWI is clear and the industry’s commitment is rock solid. We will continue our work and deliver to the timeframes agreed with our customers," it said.
The letter said that AWI has spent nearly A$14 million (US$13.5 million in alternatives to mulesing and associated animal welfare programmes and is forecast to spend a further $A10.09 million over the next three years. It is investing $A15 million in sheep genomics, $A10.5 million in breeding, selection and genomic research and other sheep development programs through the CRC for Sheep Industry Innovation. A further $A3 million is being invested in applied genetics over the next three years.
