AUSTRALIA
will not leave growers behind– but it is our responsibility to let growers know of the strong demand building for NM wool’.
property, showing a deeper level of care and responsibility towards high quality management of their flocks.
In response to the international market and the requirements of some major brands, the SustainaWOOL™ Integrity Scheme very clearly identifies the two major groups of growers within the Scheme.
Declarants must show that reasonable care has been taken to avoid, remedy or mitigate any adverse effects on the environment, thus protecting the land now and for future generations. Compliance with all National and State Work, Health & Safety (WH&S) legislation and regulations will be a requirement for successful accreditation.
The SustainaWOOL™ Integrity Scheme will now clearly identify those suppliers who do not mules (ceased or never mulesed) as ‘SustainaWOOL™ GREEN’ suppliers. Those that continue to mules but are using a registered pain relief product are identified as ‘SustainaWOOL™ BLUE’ suppliers. Wool users (processors and brands) are able to make a clear choice to source product through the SustainaWOOL™ Integrity Scheme from the ‘Green’ or ‘Blue’ (or both) suppliers with the highest level of confidence. This clear division of suppliers will also allow NEW and its shareholders to send strong commercial messages to both groups through strategically targeted grower contracts and special prices at auction.
NEW requires that the wool is removed by trained and/or careful shearers (i.e. AWI “5 Pillars of Shearing”), the wool is prepared using the guidelines of the current Australian Wool Exchange’s (AWEX) ‘Woolclasser Code of Practice (COP)’, and that the wool is classed by a Registered Professional or Owner woolclasser. A fully completed National Wool Declaration (NWD) should be submitted covering every bale of wool being offered for sale.
Traceability is still a major pillar of the scheme. The ability for wool purchased by NEW under the SustainaWOOL™ Integrity Scheme to betraced back to its source is paramount to the Scheme’ssuccess. Not only does transparent traceability allow a solid conduit for individual ‘stories’ to be told from properties or wool producing areas, but it also gives our client’s (and their clients) confidence in the integrity of fibre delivered to them under this Scheme. The SustainaWOOL™ Grower Checklist also allows suppliers to nominate their ability to trace individual animals on their 102
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The welfare of the animal should also be paramount throughout shearing to link the shearer and animal to create some accountability in shearing quality. Minimisation of distress to the animal should be a priority. ‘NEW is very proud of this Scheme and particularly the enthusiasm in which it has been embraced by a large proportion of the wool producing community’, Mr Blanch said. ‘We have a long way to go and we fully understand that we cannot stand still in this sustainability space – it is a moveable, changeable object. The relaunch of the SustainaWOOL™ Integrity Scheme in August 2017 will ensure that we are keeping abreast, and in some cases ahead, of the requirements of the wider wool industry and the modern discerning consumer’. *For more information visit www.newenglandwool.com.au