2008 News
Clarification of AWI Media Statement 31 December 2007: AWI releases tools for growers and retailers as part of settlement
8 January 2008
Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) today released three tools to assist growers and retailers in the progress towards the industry’s commitment to the phasing-out of the current practice of mulesing by 2010.
The three tools include an extensive blowfly strike prevention and management CD, a declaration form for the sale of unmulesed wool (definition: wool sourced from woolgrowers that are no longer mulesing) and a swing tag available to the retailers.
The training CD is a practical guide intended to assist woolgrowers to minimise the occurrence and extent of blowfly strike in their flocks and can be ordered from the e AWI website.
“The key objective of the CD is to help growers better understand the factors that lead to blowfly strike and is intended to assist woolgrowers in implementing management plans,” an AWI spokesperson said.
The program is divided into six clearly defined modules that assist woolgrowers to quickly and effectively access information that best suits their situation. Each module is accompanied by practical tools and case studies to demonstrate how other woolgrowers are trying to manage their risk of blowfly strike.
Also aiding growers is the development of a new, simple form that declares that the practice of mulesing is no longer being undertaken.
This declaration form will be available from brokers and agents from the start of 2008.
AWI released a swing tag for manufacturers and retailers who wish to inform their consumers that the wool in a particular product has been sourced from an Australian woolgrower who is no longer undertaking mulesing.
The swing tag will be available from WoolisBest. The responsibility will be on the users of the tag to ensure that they are not misrepresenting products for sale.
Subject to statutory warranties to the contrary, AWI will not accept any liability whatsoever arising from the use of these three tools (the CD, the woolgrower declaration and the swing-tag). Any and all users of these three tools must rely on their own enquiries as to the representations made on or in these 3 products.