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McLachlan “Cruels” wool industry
5 March 2007
Dear Sir,
The recent statement by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Chairman, Ian
McLachlan, that “You cannot convince anyone that mulesing is not
cruel” (Weekly Times 21.2.07) cannot be tolerated by woolgrowers.
Why say this when AWI is taking Federal Court action against animal rights
activists? When added to his past performance, it is appropriate to question
how much Ian McLachlan is costing the Australian Wool Industry, and whether
he is a suitable leader of the proposed Research and Marketing company
formed by integrating AWI and WoolMark.
Last year he called one of wool’s largest buyers, Laurence Modiano,
a “hypocrite” for challenging AWI’s ability to lift
demand for wool. Last year a marketing deal with major brand Benetton
collapsed.
Last week Ian McLachlan continued AWI’s anti-innovation attack on Tri-Solfen, the new commercially available pain management and antiseptic for mulesing.
AWI have spent millions of woolgrowers’ and taxpayers’ dollars
on research to find alternatives to mulesing, as they should. We accept
that research is expensive and unpredictable. But to fail to support one
of the few innovations for mulesing (Trisolfen), while making damaging
statements linking woolgrowers with cruelty, is ethically and financially
reckless.
The sheep and wool industry is worth over A$4 billion. The “cruelty”
statements by Ian McLachlan cannot stand, as they damage the perception
of our products and the reputation of woolgrowers.
There is so much to do to build confidence in our industry, at all levels
from growers, processors, retailers and consumers. The recent successful
test marketing campaign in the US, funded by IWTO and woolgrowers, and
professionally run by Brenda McGahan and her team at WoolMark, are the
example of what we need to do on a large scale.
Now we need new leadership, with vision and commercial drive, to build
confidence in our Industry. We need leadership that can build real demand
based on consumer confidence in our renewable and ethically produced fibre.
It’s time for Ian McLachlan to stop damaging wool’s image.
Wool needs a positive change in direction now.
Martin Oppenheimer
Chairman AWGA
Petali
Walcha NSW
0413 580 040
02 6777 2124
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