Thursday, 06 September 2018 12:04

Potential for wool progress

Written by  Pam Tipa

With a lot fewer players in the wool industry these days there is a better chance of getting consensus, says NZ Wool Exporters Council president Peter Whiteman.

He thinks the recent Wool Summit and the consequent working groups to be set up are a “very good idea”.

“Who knows what will become of it, but I think the fact of getting everyone together and getting a bit of airplay together is part of the key to it. I think it is an excellent initiative,” Whiteman told Rural News.

“The wool industry has been a bit maligned in the past, portraying it as more factional than it really is.

“Lots of people say there are 25 exporters; technically there probably are 25 registered, but probably four or five of us do 85% of the wool. So it is not as diverse and broken up as you might think.

“The people who are left are a bit bigger so having people who are responsible for more wool collectively is good.”

Whiteman says trying to bring together people in the industry is now easier.  “We don’t have to corral so many people anymore because the wool business in New Zealand has shrunk.” 

Some exporters were initially miffed at not being included in the Wool Summit organised by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Conner and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), but Whiteman says “we are in the system now and that is fine”.

“It might have been an oversight, but we have had contact with the minister since so no harm done.”

MPI is currently working with industry members to set up a working group to focus on key priorities that came out of the summit and resulting feedback, a spokesperson told Rural News.

“It is intended that this group be industry led, with MPI acting as a connector and facilitator. The membership of the wool working group will be announced after the group has met formally.”

More like this

A big win for wool!

State-owned social housing provider Kainga Ora is switching to wool carpet for its new homes.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Overbearing?

OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…

Foot-in-mouth

OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter