New Zealand not joining global wool marketing fund

New Zealand not joining global wool marketing fund

New Zealand has chosen not to join an international apparel marketing pilot programme following a request at the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) Congress in Hobart this week.

Meat & Wool New Zealand Chief Executive Mark Jeffries said because farmers didn’t currently support levies being invested in wool promotion, New Zealand had opted not to contribute toward the fund when the IWTO Retail Taskforce requested woolgrowers contribute to the pilot marketing programme.

Mr Jeffries said the promotion of wool was the domain of marketers, however Meat & Wool New Zealand did have a role in facilitating an industry-wide discussion on the future of marketing wool. “Our role will be to facilitate forums, seek information and conduct analysis which will provide for best decisions to be made for everyone in the New Zealand industry.”

“We had a mandate from growers in 2003 to collect a levy for investment in research and development, skills and training, technical advice and other activities. In recent years there has been an overwhelming lack of support from growers for Meat & Wool New Zealand to invest farmer levies in wool promotion,” he said.

If Meat & Wool New Zealand was to consider this type of investment it would consult with levy payers as to whether this was an appropriate use of levy funds, Mr Jeffries said.

Australian Wool Innovation has offered US$5m toward the international marketing pilot programme, if that offer is matched by international wool and textile businesses.

ENDS

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