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McLACHLAN CONTINUES TO KILL CONFIDENCE
28 February 2007
Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Chairman McLachlan continues to kill
the confidence of woolgrowers following his statement that “You
cannot convince anyone that mulesing is not cruel” (Weekly Times
21.2.07).
Despite the recent lift in wool prices, due largely to a perceived supply
shortage, woolgrowers are still quitting their flocks. On average 5-6
flock dispersals are being advertised per week in NSW alone.
Drought will be blamed for this exodus, but those close to the industry
know that a combination of factors are at work here. AWGA Chairman, Martin
Oppenheimer, says that McLachlan’s failure to solve the mulesing
issue, which became a national news item in 2004, is another reason for
woolgrower’s poor confidence.
“It appears that McLachlan wants to continue the mulesing crisis
for as long as possible. A war on animal rights groups distracts woolgrowers
from AWI’s lack of solutions to wool’s problems. It’s
the easiest way to get re-elected at AWI elections.”
“McLachlan’s latest negativity towards the recent Australian
invention, the
commercially available pain management and antiseptic Tri-Solfen, shows
that
he is more interested in wool politics than wool’s future.”
Oppenheimer says it’s time to start talking the Australian wool
industry up.
“Tell the world how good our product is. Tell the world how good
we are at producing a renewable fibre. Tell the world how much we have
spent in research of ethical, new and novel concepts to replace old methods.
Tell the world the truth about breakthroughs in animal welfare, such as
pain management when mulesing.
“Australian woolgrowers care about their sheep, and want to convey
this to wool’s customers. The early adoption of the commercially
available pain management product Tri-Solfen shows woolgrowers are sending
the message out that they care. If it’s good for the sheep, it’s
good for woolgrowers.”
“AWI must help to find solutions, and build confidence in the Australian
wool industry. If AWI Chairman McLachlan implies that mulesing is cruel,
fails to see pain relief as a solution, and creates confusion over the
commercial availability of the ground breaking Tri-Solfen, then we need
a new leader.”
Martin Oppenheimer
Chairman AWGA
0413 580 040
02 6777 2124
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