WoolProducers are urging people to attend the upcoming rally in Canberra in support of agriculture on 10 September, 2024, following alarming findings announced in the Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee report released in mid-August.
The second forecast for shorn wool production for 2024-25, predicts a significant decline in Western Australia’s wool production to 44.7 million kilograms greasy, which marks a staggering 18.8 percent decrease from 2023-24.
Ms Jo Hall, CEO of WoolProducers, expressed concern over the declining sentiment among sheep producers, citing the May 2024 Sheep Producers Intentions Survey (SPIS), which indicated a 24-point drop in grower confidence compared to the previous year.
"The May SPIS findings on grower confidence seems to ring true where it reported projected declines in both breeding ewe and wether flocks, which will have significant repercussions for the national wool clip," said Ms Hall.
WA’s Merino sheep numbers have been reduced, with interstate transfer of about 830,000 head of mainly breeding ewes many carrying six or more months of fleece. Coupled with reduced numbers of ewes being joined, and an increased proportion of those remaining Merino ewes mated to crossbred rams.
“As we have repeatedly stated during the debate around the live sheep export trade - when the wool industry suffers, so too do the regional economies and services of those areas that rely on the industry.”
“We are hearing anecdotally that wool brokers are laying staff off in the West given the lower production. What we are seeing in real time is the decimation of the Western Australian wool industry brought on by out of touch government policy.” Ms Hall said.
As the wool industry grapples with these challenges, preparations are also underway for a major farmer rally in Canberra on September 10, 2024. This event aims to unite farmers and send a strong message to parliamentarians that Australian farmers will no longer tolerate an anti-farming agenda from the government.
The rally, which originated in response to the government's decision to ban live sheep exports, will address broader agricultural policies impacting producers and regional communities. WoolProducers, along with the National Farmers Federation and the Keep the Sheep campaign, strongly supports this rally and urges all impacted Australians to attend.
"The ban on live sheep exports is just the beginning of a slippery slope that could lead to more restrictions on agriculture," Ms Hall warned. "If we allow unfounded claims from activists to override industry expertise, we risk jeopardising not just sheep farming but the future of agriculture as a whole."
The rally will also highlight additional policies currently under consideration, including:
Scrapping the Diesel Fuel Rebate
New taxes for biosecurity
Eliminating the 88 days of specified work requirement for backpackers
New superannuation taxes
Water buybacks in the Murray Darling Basin
Increased red tape from Scope 3 emissions reporting
Community impacts of energy and renewable developments
"This rally is essential to demonstrate that agriculture needs to be at the forefront of government policy decisions, not as an afterthought while chasing popularist votes.”
“With many Australians already struggling to afford food, it makes no sense for the government to marginalise the agricultural sector further." Ms Hall said.
While all of agriculture and associated industries who rely on agriculture are impacted by poor government policies, the risk will be that there aren’t significant numbers of people attending and the important messages that need to be conveyed will be dismissed by decision makers.
“It’s a big gamble being taken in organising this rally, so we are urging all of those that can attend to make the effort.” Ms Hall said.
For more information and to register your attendance at the rally, please visit www.nff.org.au or www.keepthesheep.com.au
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WoolProducers Australia contacts:
Jo Hall Steve Harrison
CEO President
0488 554 811 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.
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