WIA JOINT WORKING GROUPS
China Australia Joint Working Group on Wool Quality
This Group was originally established in 2007 to investigate wool contamination issues. The Group has since developed a good working relationship with China and is now also providing training to Chinese Delegates.
Both countries worked together to establish the "General Terms and Conditions Governing the Purchase of Australian Greasy, Scoured and Carbonized Wool, Wool Top and all other Types of Wool Fibres". An official signing ceremony was held in September 2012.
The China Australia Joint Working Group meets two times per year, at the IWTO Congress and the Nanjing Wool Market Conference.
Photo: China Australia Joint Working Group meeting in Harrogate UK May 2017
WIA Emergency Animal Diseases Working Group
The WIA Emergency Animal Diseases Working Group was formed in August 2011. The initial work included providing feedback to Animal Health Australia on the revised FMD AUSVETPLAN Disease Strategy. Members realised that there were gaps in the AUSVETPLAN Manuals that related to wool. A report was prepared highlighting many areas that needed further attention.
Some achievements since 2011 include:
The preparation of the AUSVETPLAN Wool Industry Enterprise Manual. The Chairman would like to thank the Department of Agriculture for their support in providing funds to make this happen.
WIA assisted with the update and revision of the AUSVETPLAN Valuation and Compensation Manual as part of the writing group. This was released in 2017.
The Chairman and the Secretary, are Members of the ACVO Emergency Animal Disease Advisory Group. The main focus of this group is preparedness of a FMD outbreak in Australia. WIA's contribution and focus is on wool. This Group replaces the Industry Government Working Group.
The Australian Wool Industry EAD RD&E Strategy has been supported by AWI who have provided funding to prepare and administer the Strategy. Funds have been allocated to coordination and stakeholder engagement, administration, research and development and feedback to NABRDE Strategy. Work is currently being undertaken in the following areas:
R&D on the use of Citric Acid for decontamination of wool bales
Traceability of wool bales from the farm gate to the early stage processor / scour in Australia or overseas
Training for wool growers, brokers and provision of information sessions
A communication plan for the wool industry.
Members representing WIA and WoolProducers Australia went to Nepal to gain further knowledge on Foot and Mouth Disease and to see first hand its effect on animals and treatment required. WoolProducers Australia have agreed to continue funding delegates to attend future training trips. Other WIA Members have also expressed interest.
Photo: From left, Dr Paul Swan, AWI, Mrs Bianca Heaney, WIA Secretary and Mr Robert Ryan OAM, WIA Chairman, at the 2014 Australian Biosecurity Awards night
WIA has been involved with the National Livestock Standstill Exercise – Exercise Odysseus – communications. We understand the focus is on livestock however WIA would like to “stress test” an exercise on wool in conjunction with this program.
WIA has also provided input into the Business Continuity Plans which have been prepared for the Grazing enterprises, Transport industry and Saleyards. It is WIA’s intention to prepare one for the wool industry.
This Group works closely with Animal Health Australia and Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
In 2013, the Department of Agriculture nominated FAWO for an Australian 2014 Biosecurity Award. Members are delighted that we were a recipient of this national award.
In 2014 an IWTO Wool Trade Biosecurity Working Group was established in Cape Town, South Africa. IWTO Members from wool producing countries form the committee and meet twice yearly to discuss and share issues, provide updates on development and research undertaken in various countries.
This working group was handed over to WoolProducers Australia in 2020.