Wool Working Group underway

The Wool Working Group has met for the first time to discuss how they’ll seize all possible opportunities to create a more sustainable and profitable sector, Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor said.

The working group, made up of 20 wool producers, processors and other industry representatives met this month in Christchurch to continue the momentum of July’s Wool Industry Summit.

“Around the world consumers want alternatives to environmentally unfriendly synthetic fibres and it’s up to us to work together to deliver them natural and functional wool products that are good for consumers and good for the world,” said Damien.

“The feedback I’ve received is that it was a very positive meeting. There was unity and a constructive belief in a positive pathway for the sector.

“The group will collaborate with other players outside the industry to get independent ideas and expertise.

“The Ministry for Primary Industries is also working on a digital platform that will allow the working group to continue their work inbetween meetings.

“I’m focused on helping the sector get more value for what it produces. If people see that our products are the most sustainably and ethically produced in the world then that will help us get more value for what we do,” said Damien.

The working group will develop a pan-sector action plan before the end of the year.