AWI candidate Chick Olsson up to his old tricks again
30 Oct '06
2 min read
The news that candidate for the Australian Wool Innovation board Chick Olsson has been attacking mulesing replacement programs being run by the AWI on behalf of woolgrowers has been met by the industry with extreme disappointment, but very little surprise, according to peak woolgrower body WoolProducers President Robert Pietsch.
“In our view, this is just more of the same as he attempts to spread his own brand of discontent with the hope of winning a seat on the board of AWI,” said Mr Pietsch.
“The industry has committed to end mulesing by 2010 - a decision which Mr Olsson was part of - it is what international retailers told us they wanted, and what Australian woolgrower leaders agreed to do.”
“State and federal governments have also committed to end the practice by 2010, and are in the process of implementing these changes.”
“There is tremendous work being done to find replacements to the conventional mulesing procedure, with a range of alternatives to be released over the next two years – well ahead of the 2010 deadline.”
“Both the new plastic clips and the intradermal injections are reported by industry R&D company AWI to be well progressed with the potential to have one in the market place by the end of 2007.”
In 2005 Olsson attracted media coverage from his relationship with Animal Liberation and radical American animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
“Growers must remember that Mr Olsson travelled to New York to reach an agreement with PETA, which in our view would have meant an end to the live export industry and given PETA a role in setting animal welfare standards in Australia,” said Mr Pietsch.
“I simply can't understand how someone can on the one hand claim to be standing for the board of AWI to better the lot for woolgrowers, yet in the same breath talks down exciting research programs to find an alternative to mulesing.”
“Every time he attempts to undermine AWI mulesing programs, he is undermining every Australian woolgrower, undermining our relationship with international retailers of woollen apparel and playing into the hands of animal rights groups.”
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