Superfine merino clip leads mulesing reform
THE superfine merino clip has proven a frontrunner for not mulesed and ceased mulesed wool across the merino micron range this season.
THE superfine Merino clip has proven a frontrunner for non-mulesed and ceased mulesing wool this season.
An analysis by Mecardo of the National Wool Declaration’s data found more than 50 per cent of 14-micron wool has been declared as non-mulesed (NM) or ceased mulesed (CM) since July.
As the fibre diameter increased, there was a dramatic decline in the proportion of non-mulesed and ceased mulesed wool, lowering to 4 per cent at 22 microns.
Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors executive director Peter Morgan said there was pressure coming out of Europe for non-mulesed and ceased mulesed Merino wool.
“Europe consumes a fair portion of superfine wool, while China sells a lot of their superfine Merino garments back into Europe,” Mr Morgan said.
“This year’s Nanjing Wool Conference in China referred to the desirability of growers to declare their Merino wool not mulesed.”
Mr Morgan said some growers previously may not have declared their Merino wool as not mulesed because there were no price incentives.
But he said the price premiums had become increasingly more apparent in the past 18 months.
“There is a push from the ethical and sustainable angle of the market, particularly in areas such as activewear,” Mr Morgan said.
New England Wool managing director Andrew Blanch said price premiums for non-mulesed wool were more prevalent in the 19 micron and finer range.
He said non-mulesed, ceased-mulesed and pain relief wool was more common in the superfine range because it often comes from smaller operations, entirely focused on wool growing.
“There has been a push on Australia to follow suit with New Zealand, especially as places like South America and South Africa are automatically not mulesed,” Mr Blanch said.
For their superfine growers, New England wool offers its own sustainable accreditation scheme.
“Growers can sign up to our sustainable scheme that provides accreditation on the main factors of welfare, environment and quality, demanding a higher price,” Mr Blanch said.
“We appreciate that it’s more expensive for growers so we want to give a reward.”