Olympics Could Affect Australian Wool Growers

January 4, 2007 - Australian wool growers are being warned the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing might disrupt China's wool buying next year. China buys 60 percent of Australia's wool.

Tasmanian wool industry consultant, Robert Wallace, says it is possible China's textile industry might be temporarily shut down to reduce air pollution.

"There are rumors that some non-essential industries will be asked to close down two or three months leading into the Olympic Games, and then a month after," he says.

"Now this is to try and reduce smog and other pollutants that might be in the area, and it's not just in Beijing, because, of course, they are looking for a very large tourist sector growth.

"Again, textiles are non-essential, and it is spread through the areas up the east coast, so they could be asked to close down."
Reprinted from ABC Australia

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