Launch of the Wool Industry Post-farmgate Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Preparedness and Response RD&E Strategy 2025–2030

WoolProducers Australia (WoolProducers) today (11 September 2025) announced the launch of the Wool Industry Post-farmgate Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Preparedness and Response RD&E Strategy 2025–2030 at the Wool Industries Australia Wool Week Forum in Melbourne.

The development of the Strategy was sponsored and coordinated by WoolProducers Australia and Animal Health Australia. The Strategy sets out a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen the wool supply chain’s resilience in relation to EADs—from shearing sheds to processing and export. The Strategy seeks to provide direction for industry and government investments over the next 5 years to contribute to the management of EAD risks, protect market access, and keep the supply chain strong.

“This Strategy is a proactive investment in the future of Australia’s wool industry,” said Adam Dawes, General Manager of WoolProducers Australia. “It ensures that our post-farmgate systems are equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to any EAD, minimising trade disruptions and safeguarding market confidence.”

The Strategy builds on the successes of previous preparedness efforts and introduces four key pillars:

Policy and Operational Plans: Aligning industry response with national and international biosecurity frameworks.

Capacity Building and Culture: Embedding biosecurity as a standard practice across the supply chain.

Coordination and Relationships: Enhancing collaboration between industry, government, and trading partners.

Enhanced Traceability and Data Exchange: Leveraging digital tools to track wool movements and support rapid response.

A previous strategy was developed by Wool Industries Australia (2019-2022), however there was a need to develop a revised strategy to ensure that industry and government efforts are aligned to help increase the speed and effectiveness of an EAD response, helping to protect our animals, our livelihoods, our market access and ultimately our economic prosperity.

Recent notable advancements in wool industry EAD preparedness have included the rollout of RFID-enabled eBale labels, the Australian Wool Traceability Hub (AWTH), updated AUSVETPLAN manuals and the development of an IWTO protocol for the storage and treatment of wool to inactivate disease causing agents, such as foot and mouth disease.

The Strategy was developed through extensive consultation with the WoolProducers Post-farmgate EAD Working Group and supported by key stakeholders including Animal Health Australia, Australian Wool Innovation, Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors, National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia and federal and state government departments.

“It is essential that we continue to invest in disease prevention and EAD preparedness with a “when” not an “if” mentality. Changes in climate, trade patterns and disease distribution mean that risk are constantly evolving, requiring ongoing investment to minimise impacts on our businesses, industries, communities and economy”, Mr Dawes said.

“Animal Health Australia welcomes the release of this updated strategy. It strengthens traceability, builds industry capability through training and exercises, and improves coordination between brokers, exporters, processors and government. Crucially, it aligns with national frameworks to support a One Health approach to emergency disease preparedness across Australia,” said Animal Health Australia CEO Dr Samantha Allan.

The Strategy will guide annual workplans and inform future RD&E investments, ensuring the industry remains agile and prepared in an evolving biosecurity landscape.

The full Strategy can be downloaded from the Animal Health Australia website.

ENDS

Adam Dawes Rob Barwell

General Manager, WoolProducers Australia Head of Program, Biosecurity, AHA

0455 442 776                                                                      0427 478 930 

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.