WoolPoll happens every three years and the wool industry are one of the very few industries that decides the amount of levy that we as growers chose to invest back into our industry for research, development and marketing through Australian Wool Innovation (AWI).
WoolProducers are not making any levy recommendation this year and urge eligible levy payers to take the time to make an informed decision and vote accordingly.
We as growers know the rates - 0, 1%, 1.5% and 2%. We also know what each rate means for funding of services and what services and projects will remain to growers across all options as pointed out in the Voter Information Memorandum (VIM).
While this all sounds familiar, apathy is a huge issue in determining the outcome of this poll, with only around 20% of eligible growers finding the time to vote. Which is disappointing and why we at WoolProducers encourage all growers to exercise their right to make informed input into the future.
Votes in WoolPoll are counted using an optional preferential voting system to ensure that the outcome satisfies the greatest number of votes. In order to have an eligible vote, place number 1 in the box of your first preference and you may complete the remaining three boxes in order of your preferences 2, 3 and 4 with 4 being your last preference. Ticks and crosses will invalidate your vote.
This means that, if none of the four levy rates achieves 50 per cent or more first preference votes, levy payers who voted for the least preferred option will have their votes allocated to their second preferences. Reallocating preferences continues until one of the levy rates reaches a majority of votes counted.
Use all of your preference options to ensure that your vote is maximised if results are close.
What also sounds familiar is the prediction of better prices to come as we are at the bottom of a cycle. Marketing is deemed hard to measure, but with the EMI at the same level as it was ten years ago it hasn’t measured up. Market share has also decreased in the last ten years.
A lot of growers would be surprised by the amount of money spent on marketing each year. Some $30-40 million dollars is spent each year in the 60/40 split (marketing to R&D). Many of us are asking what is the return on investment for this amount of money? I would strongly suggest that marketing has to be done differently, and I am not the only person saying this.
Sustainable, great for the planet, comes from an animal that is loved and cared for by farmers etc. If wool was a brand-new product we may have a different outcome, however the credentials that we are selling to the world currently are not translating into a prosperous industry that we all love to be involved in.
Steve Harrison
President
WoolProducers Australia
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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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