Wool levy: Sheep farmers to vote on proposal early next year

Résumé détaillé

Sheep farmers will vote early next year on a proposed wool levy to invest in work that grows demand and value for New Zealand’s wool clip. Beef and Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) and a new…

Farmers once paid a wool levy, and there are hopes it can be reinstated. Photo / Alan Gibson

Sheep farmers will vote early next year on a proposed wool levy to invest in work that grows demand and value for New Zealand’s wool clip.

Beef and Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) and a new group, the New Zealand Wool Collective, made the announcement, with work now underway to encourage farmers to vote in favour.

Additional funds from industry and government would also be sought for specific projects.

“It varies by scale; the amount we’re looking at is 2-3 cents per kilogram,” Ross McIsaac, chief executive of New Zealand Wool Collective, said.

“It’s hard to define an average farm, but for a farm that maybe has 2000 sheep and produces about 10 tonnes of wool, you’re looking at about $200 to $300 per year.”

The Wool Collective was formed in a merger earlier this year, taking over from the Campaign for Wool NZ and Wool Impact.

“It builds on the consolidation of the work being done by Wool Impact and Campaign for Wool NZ and the innovation and investment being made by individual wool businesses across the sector,” McIsaac said.

“Momentum behind wool is evident in price lifts, brand activity and consumer interest.

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