NSW Farmers has backed measures for strengthening oversight of the management and expenditure of the wool industry levy.
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Delegates at NSW Farmers’ 2017 Annual Conference voted to confirm support for appointing WoolProducers Australia as the grower representative organisation providing arms-length oversight of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI).
Chair of NSW Farmers Wool Committee, Andrew Wood, said that the motion was not about interfering in day-to-day operations of AWI, but ensuring that levy payers had a formal relationship with their service organisation.
“As the research, development and marketing body for the wool industry, it is important that AWI can continue to provide expertise to help growers capture the benefit of current high market returns,” Mr Wood said.
Mr Wood said that woolgrowers now have the opportunity to ensure sustainability of their industry structures and encourage meaningful consultation.
“The wool industry is the only commodity for which growers do not have a legislated oversight function of the research and marketing body,” Mr Wood said.
“It is important to ensure that AWI’s use of levy funding is consistent with levy payer priorities, and that there is transparency and accountability in this expenditure.”
“A formalised agreement between AWI and a representative body will only strengthen the relationship between woolgrowers and our industry service body.”
Mr Wood said that this relationship has proven successful in other commodity sectors, including the red meat industry, and that WoolProducers is best-placed to ensure woolgrowers’ expectations are met by AWI.
“WoolProducers’ charter, unlike other national wool representative organisations, is to represent the interests of all woolgrowers.”
Mr Wood said that the industry has seen AWI deliver for growers through research, extension and marketing initiatives.
“We want to encourage continued quality output with strengthened governance arrangements.”