Code of practice for wool preparation

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 314, 21 November 1989, Page 13

Code of practice for wool preparation

The wool industry now has a 3000-word "Code of Practice for Wool Preparation" booklet. It will be sent to all growers and contractors. Announced by the Chairman of the Wool Board, Mr P.G. (Pat) Morrison, it is the work of a committee representing the board

and major sections of the trade. The booklet carries the endorsement of brokers, private merchants, exporters and the universities which train classers. The Code defines the responsibilities of farmers, shearing contractors, classers, leading shedhands and pressers and sets out rules for the preparation of various types of

wool. The emphasis is on good woolshed management, the removal of faults that affect processing, and classing or grading into the smallest number of lines that adequately present the wool. Those involved in drafting the Code see an important role for it in lifting standards of preparation. Mr B.D.

McPherson, a broker on the committee, say the Code will make it easier for brokers to tell their clients when wool is not up to standard. Letters will be written by the Board to farmers whose wool, when seen at auction, shows major faults in preparation. This has strong approval from the president of the Shearing Contractors' Associa-

tion, Mr Bill Morrison. "I think they should boot more wool off the auction floor," he said. His association would be looking carefully at the question of responsibility for preparations, said Mr Morrison. If the leading shedhand was responsible for example, she should see the broker's report - which previously went to the grower. "This scheme is going to need lots of back-up," he said. Spokesmen for the woolbrokers, wool exporters and private wool merchants have all supported the Code. "Anything that will enhance the product in the eyes of the buyers and manufacturers has to be good for New Zealand," said the president of the Federation of Wool Merchants, Mr Morrin Hardy. Mr W.E. Carter, executive manager of the Council of Wool Exporters, said the Code take the mystique out of wool preparation. A committee in 1971 had decided after 17 meetings that the rule was to take out what was obviously wrong and put like with like. "I've yet to see any changes in that," he said.