The key to the future of the wool sector, is a combined approach across the wool supply chain, beginning from farmers to traders to manufacturers, delegates at British Wool Marketing Board’s (BWMB) conference were told last week.
“Coordinated work across the supply chain was central to ensure consumers understood the value of wool and the role it can play in the textile industry in future,” Peter Ackroyd, president of International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) told delegates.
Ackroyd said collaboration between a number of wool producing countries had been the key to developing IWTO’s environmental credential work for wool.
“The BWMB was particularly supportive of this work, which was a joint effort between all the grower countries in response to leading retailers who prioritise corporate social responsibility, questioning the matter of sustainability of wool,” he added.
Since its launch in January of 2010, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Norway have joined ‘Campaign for Wool’ as key funders. The campaign is now a major seasonal event in 19 countries with further ambitions to spread wools environmental message into China.”
Mr Ackroyd urged growers to continue their support for both these essential wool activities which were yielding strong support from both retailers and consumers worldwide.
Following the same theme, BWMB chairman, Malcolm Corbett told delegates that it was the collaborative nature of marketing wool through BWMB, which had helped increase producer returns in the last decade.
“Growing demand for wool, partly as a result of the strong messaging from the Campaign for Wool, and also due to a rise in price of competing textiles, has helped improve prices,” he added.
“However, it is the strength in unity offered by selling through BWMB which is really helping deliver price improvements. BWMB’s ability to offer large volumes of quality, graded wool coupled with its competitive auction system has been the key to driving up UK wool prices,” Corbett explained.
Corbett asked delegates to continue reminding producers across the country of the work done on their behalf by BWMB, whether it is funding CfW, providing shearing training or grading wool, prior to sale. (AR)
