Commercial Realities of Live Export Ban Hit Home

WoolProducers Australia have been provided with a copy of the letter from Elders Limited advising clients of their decision from July 2027 to cease the handling and selling of wool in Western Australia, with these functions set to be conducted in Melbourne from that date.

Elders have cited the nearly 40% reduction in the Western Australian wool clip in recent years as a determining factor in this decision.

WoolProducers notes and welcomes Elders ongoing commitment to the wool industry and acknowledges that this would not have been an easy decision but was done with the long-term sustainability of the western industry in mind.

Noting that this is a commercial decision made by Elders, the fact that the federal government’s decision to ban live sheep export which led to the immediate and severe reduction of sheep numbers in Western Australia, cannot be ignored.

WoolProducers were vocal throughout the consultation phase of that decision, warning that any move to ban the live export industry would have a severely detrimental impact on the Western Australian wool industry.

This announcement by Elders has proved that the paltry compensation package that has been offered by the federal government has done nothing to keep western growers in the wool industry.

It further underscores the deeply flawed ideological decision made by the federal government to shut down an industry. Government funding for roadmaps or strategies count for nothing when it is commercial realities that dictate the viability of industries.

ENDS

Jo Hall, CEO: 0488 554 811

Steve Harrison, President: 0427 468 303

About WoolProducers Australia

WoolProducers plays a critical role in working closely with companies and entities funded by woolgrower funds including compulsory levies or fees for service.

Its mission is to develop constructive and profitable outcomes for woolgrowers nationally.

The agency is responsible for appointing a director to each of the Australian Wool Exchange and the Australia Wool Testing Authority, promoting good corporate governance and ensuring that the interests of growers are met.

WoolProducers maintains a working relationship with Australian Wool Innovation as the voice of woolgrower shareholders.  It aims to contribute to AWI’s programs for the benefit of growers, promoting responsible use of levy funds and ensuring good corporate governance.

WoolProducers is the sole wool industry member of Animal Health Australia, and as such, carries a significant responsibility for decision making on behalf of the industry in the event of an emergency animal disease outbreak.

As the only wool grower organisation with membership of the National Farmers’ Federation, WoolProducers is responsible for providing key policy advice on behalf of our members, and other wool growers, to Australia’s peak farm body.

WoolProducers also works closely with the Federal Government Departments on key issues such as animal health and welfare, biosecurity, pest management control, natural resource management, drought preparedness, emergency animal disease outbreak preparedness and industry development, including research, trade and logistics.