WPA reasserts need to eliminate mulesing
11/08/2008
“It is obviously disappointing that PGA has taken this view, but it doesn’t change the pressing need to phase out mulesing or the commitment of the wider Australian wool industry to do it,” says WPA president, Don Hamblin. “I believe there is very strong leadership in the wool industry and a very strong will to see this challenge through.”
However, Mr Hamblin remains positive. “I am confident that we will have solutions prior to 2010 and the evidence shows that there a number of effective fly strike prevention measures either already available or close to commercialisation,” he says.
But, although he identifies with PGA’s worries, he describes its decision as a surprising one. He says: “I share the concern of PGA and many growers about the risk of state legislation taking control of the agenda away from farmers. 2010 is a grower to customer commitment.
“That is what makes this decision all the more surprising, because if the Australian wool growing industry can’t rise to the challenge of phasing out mulesing in response to consumer demand, then government might decide it has to act, which we are trying to avoid.”
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