One of New Zealand's
largest fine wool buyers will next season pay a $A2 ($NZ2.53)
a head premium for wool from non-mulesed sheep.
New England Wool, which buys for its shareholding Italian
processors Reda and Barberis, has announced any wool bought
at auction next season from non-mulesed sheep would be paid a
$A100 rebate per bale to cover the extra cost of flystrike
prevention.
New Zealand Merino chief executive John Brakenridge said New
England Wool was the largest auction buyer by value of New
Zealand merino wool, and it was the first company to offer
such a payment.
Reda also contracted growers to supply wool, and it would
include a premium for non-mulesed sheep in its contracts.
"They are coming in a dual manner, through direct supply
contracts with Reda and also through auction, combining Reda
and Barberis through New England Wool."
Mulesing, where skin folds are cut off the breech of lambs to
prevent fly strike, has become an emotive issue for animal
welfare groups such as People for the ethical treatment of
Animals (Peta).
The group has launched public shame campaigns against
retailers selling wool it claims comes from mulesed sheep.
The Australian wool industry has been hit hard, but the New
Zealand fine wool industry has quietly been working with
growers to stop the practice.
Mr Brakenridge said the "vast majority" of New Zealand fine
wool would come from non-mulesed sheep next season.
"I've been very impressed with farmers. They've realised the
issue is not going to go away."
He said confrontation was not an option, but companies such
as New England Wool recognised alternatives to mulesing, such
as more frequent crutching and monitoring, were costly.
"This sort of leadership move from a prestigious company is
going to assist growers through the process."
It also sent growers a signal about what consumers wanted.
"It's the market showing leadership and sending growers the
correct signal, not just about mulesing, but around quality
incentives."
NZM has an independently-monitored quality assurance
programme, Zque, which quantified environmental and social
stewardship of its suppliers.
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