Wool Bill Introduced in U.S. Senate

June 16, 2006 -- Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.) introduced S. 3232, legislation to extend the wool fabric provisions, which includes the American Wool Trust. The current authorization affecting fabric duties and the wool trust was completed in 2004 and expires next year. The extension request would take the trust through 2012.

Paul Frischknecht, president of the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) commended Baucus and Thomas for introducing the legislation and beginning the re-authorization process.

"The wool trust has been very successful in supporting both the domestic wool market and bringing about a large increase in the export market," stated Frischknecht. "It is timely to consider re-authorization and ASI commits the resources of the U.S. sheep industry to this effort."

Suit manufacturers, domestic wool mills and U.S. sheep producers struggled for several years to develop agreeable language to assist each sector of the wool business. Since 2001, the marketing, communications and quality improvement efforts of ASI have been greatly enhanced on account of the wool trust.

Staff contact: Peter Orwick, ext. 33

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