Wool Industry Unites to Face Future Challenges

Following the annual congress of the International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO) held from June 16-18, IWTO President Guenther Beier issued a statement praising growers and industrialists throughout the wool pipeline for commitments made at the congress to product marketing and ecological excellence.

"I applaud the stance taken by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) to commit further funding to the concept of business-to-business to consumer marketing with Woolmark as the leading brand. I warmly welcome AWI's decision to include other grower nations in future strategic discussions, particularly at a time when the market is demanding a positive ecological message from spinners and weavers of wool worldwide."

Beier added: "Promoting wool as the world's leading eco-friendly fiber is a high priority for all, as retailers revisit corporate social responsibility agendas. Wool used for interiors, apparel and lifestyle has unrivalled natural and sustainable characteristics and IWTO will continue to ensure that the properties of wool are recognized for their environmental attributes amongst legislative bodies worldwide."

IWTO's next major step is to engage the retail industry to a far greater degree than has been the case in the past and that plans are already at a preliminary stage to have this take place at the next conference to be held in May 2010.

The American Sheep Industry Association is the official representative of the U.S. wool industry to the IWTO. The meeting provided a chance for the U.S. delegates to interact with participants from other parts of the world.

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