Wool marking controls

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 13, 25 August 1987, Page 10

Wool marking controls

Wool marking preparations will be more tightly controlled as a result of a new agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Wool Board. MAF recently advertised the names of preparations which meet new standards of conforming with currer t woolscouring practice. The list includes aerosol markers, tupping crayons and pour-on dips. Under Section 94 of the Animals Act, all preparations must be approved by the Ministry and carry a statement to that effect on the label. The new regime follows retests of 92 markers, only 40% of which scoured out satisfactorily. Unsuitable markers have been withdrawn from sale and all products should now meet the new standards.

Manufacturers will be required to advise the Wool Board of any change in their product formulations and to submit samples for testing. the Board will also buy products at random to ensure continuing compliance with the standards. "We find manufacturers understand the need for higher standards and are cooperating well," says the Board's Raw Wool Services Group Manager, Mr A.F. (Sandy) Cassie. "Woolgrowers should use only the newly approved products. Wool is no place for Kiwi ingenuity. "The trade should now have confidence that marking will scour clean - but growers should keep it to a minimum. At shearing time any obvious marks should be removed. Tupping crayon should be the correct grade for the climate and other marks should be on topknot, nose or tail."