In Beijing, the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) chief Gunther Beier told the wool summit, "We have to put our differences aside for the very sake of this fibre now."

Gunther Beier, however, asked Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) to smarten up on its mulesing management.

He also asked that the Woolmark network and IWTO be better used, in the reassurance of wool textile retailers.

“It is of great importance that the correct messages are given, in particular to our retailers who, in the end, ensure that our products are sold to our customers,” he said

While praising Australian growers for agreeing to phase out mulesing and adopting pain relief, Mr Beier wanted a greater assurance that mulesing would in fact end by the end of 2010, as some retailers remain sceptical.

AWI chairman Ian McLachlan said processors had all the relevant details at their fingertips to reassure their retail partners that the mulesing issue was being handled well and encouraged IWTO to work with, rather than against AWI in this crucial issue.

The meeting reaffirmed that demand for unmulesed wool is increasing demand for this, globally, as a result of the crisis.

SOURCE: Extract from Beijing IWTO summit report in Queensland Country Life, The Land, Stock & Land, Stock Journal and WA Farm Journal, April 17.