AWI concerned about mulesing backdown
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Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) says the industry is jeopardising its relationship with international retailers by backing down on an agreement to phase out mulesing.
The industry had agreed to end the practice by 2010, but recently, some farm groups have called for an extension to that deadline.
AWI chairman Brian van Rooyen says any divisions within the industry will make it more difficult for AWI to market Australian wool.
Mr van Rooyen says the move could also damage international markets, as well as Australia's reputation.
"Any apparent split in the industry, or step back, that can potentially threaten the commitment that the industry made, not AWI, but the wool producers made to cease mulesing by 2010, any breach of that commitment makes it more difficult to market our wool," he said.
