AWI vows to fight on

NATIONAL: Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has reiterated its mission to phase out the practice of mulesing before 2010, following yet another boycott by a major international fashion retailer.

German based retail group Clemens and August has joined the ranks of Hugo Boss, Abercrombie and Fitch and H&M by announcing it will ban the use of Australian wool from mulesed sheep. The retail chain operates over 1,100 stores in 16 European countries.

AWI has sent an open letter to international retailers and wool industry stakeholders announcing its full support for the production of "an ethical natural fibre". AWI chairman Brian van Rooyen alleged retailers were already comfortable with the industry's progress.

"International retailers urge us to continue our work," he said. "They appreciate that woolgrowers are mindful of adapting their production system and that a non-mulesed wool market will be operating through the Australian auction system from July 2008."

Rooyen said alternatives for mulesing would be ready for use before 2010 and that 23 per cent of Australian wool producing properties did not intend to mules in 2008. He said 32 per cent of lambs born in 2008 would not be mulesed.

"We've informed PETA that the resolve of AWI is clear and the industry's commitment is rock solid. We will continue our work and delver to the timeframes agreed with our customers.