Concerns Over Inferior Wool in Bales

May 19, 2006 - Concerns have been raised about the growing number of wool bales that have inferior quality wool deliberately hidden in them.

The Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) says buyers are losing confidence in the quality of Australian wool because of falsely presented bales and a rise in contaminated and unprepared fleeces.

AWEX wool-classer registrar Greg Sawyer says the market slump has seen growers trying to cut corners, but it is turning buyers off altogether.

"We know of mills around the world that have notified AWEX of wools that for arguments sake may have 10-bale line of fleece wool, eight bales are well prepared and the last two bales may be topped up with inferior wool which hasn't been," he said.

Reprinted from ABC Australia