R&D update
Wool industry to demonstrate its high environmental standards
An Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI) project to help provide Australian woolgrowers and the wool industry with the means to demonstrate environmental stewardship and high animal welfare standards to domestic and international markets is underway following eight months industry planning.
The project is funded under the Pathways to Industry Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Program – part of the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust.
Initially on-farm guidelines will be developed that build on existing on-farm best practice production and the latest research information. Ultimately the project will provide a voluntary accreditation that Australian producers can use to demonstrate to global textile industry, retailers and consumers the high environmental and animal welfare production credentials.
Under the recently signed contract, the Australian Government will provide $600,000 in funding to AWI for the two year project, and AWI will contribute further funds to the project. The project will build on existing programs such as Land, Water & Wool and Grain & Graze.
AWI Wool Production General Manager Ian Rogan said that initially the project would involve the development of a set of voluntary best management practices covering environmental issues affecting the production of Australian wool.
Mr Rogan said the project also included the development of guidelines for processors addressing chemical use, designed to assist processors who wanted to meet Europe’s eco-label requirements.
“As well as outlining the potential benefits to all woolgrowers and processors, we plan on developing training tools that will help woolgrowers participate,” Mr Rogan said.
“We will provide three on-farm best practice modules – animal health and welfare, pesticide use and on-farm environmental sustainability, as well as a downstream processing standards module.
“Where possible the best management practices will take into account standards from existing systems such as EurepGAP, the widely recognised EU eco-label and other market-led initiatives to maximise the market opportunities.”
A project aim is to increase woolgrower awareness of the marketing opportunities and the growing consumer demand for wool produced with high environmental and animal welfare standards. This should improve woolgrower understanding of the modern consumers’ expectations.
Mr Rogan said feedback from international retailers to AWI was that increasingly they wanted to know that the wool products they bought were produced with high animal health and welfare and environmental standards.
“It is all part of a growing international corporate social responsibility commitment by the retailers,” he said.
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Richard Colbeck welcomed the Australian wool industry's involvement in the Pathways to Industry EMS Program.
"I wish to congratulate Australian Wool Innovation on the national approach it is taking to address environmental issues," Senator Colbeck said.
"By developing best management practices for wool production and processing, Australian Wool Innovation will help producers demonstrate their sustainable practices to local and overseas markets."