Wool Board restructuring jeopardised

The Government's failure to give priority to legislation allowing for the dissolution of the Wool Board is seriously jeopardising wool industry restructuring, says National's Agriculture spokesman, David Carter.

"Draft legislation providing for the structural reform of the industry has been ready for nearly four months, yet the Government's done nothing to get the legislative process underway.

"This sort of apathy is appalling considering the 30 June deadline for dissolution is closing in. I'm seriously concerned that the legislation will not be passed in time.

"After years of consultation, wool growers want to see the new legislation enacted and get on with business. It's simply irresponsible of this Government to ignore the urgency of the legislation.

"This is yet another example of agriculture being dumped on the back burner by an apathetic Minister. I challenge Jim Sutton to stand up for farmers and get this legislation read in Parliament next week.

"The Government's last term was made easy by the exceptional performance of the rural sector. Now, with the tide starting to turn for agriculture, Jim Sutton can't afford to slack around with important legislation," says Mr Carter.

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