Another wool accreditation program has been launched to support the ethical growing of wool, this time by Australian Wool Network (AWN).
ZQ Merino Fibre, considered the world’s largest ethical wool brand, will now help put eligible Australian woolgrowers directly in touch with international brands such as Icebreaker and Helly Hansen, via their ethical wool supply chain path.
The ZQ Merino Fibre accreditation and wool supply program is an independently audited program designed to give confidence to brands and consumers regarding the production of their wool, specifically focused on animal welfare, including non-mulesing, environmental integrity, social responsibility, fibre quality and traceability to origin.
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AWN managing director John Colley said while international market needs are always shifting, the growing demand for brand integrity, trust and transparency will only continue to rise in the future.
“Our introduction of the ZQ Merino Fibre wool supply program will help AWN support our woolgrowers who are already striving for even greater value from their on-farm efforts to produce premium, sustainable, ethically raised merino fibre to meet this growing global demand,” Mr Colley said.
ZQ wool is sourced from growers who are committed to continually improving fibre quality, farm management practices, animal health and welfare, including prohibiting the practice of mulesing and the bulk live export of sheep from properties supplying the program.
The long-term, direct contracts are set at agreed, sustainable price points, protecting the woolgrower, supply chains and brand partners from commodity price volatility.
And Mr Colley said with the wool market unpredictable and subject to unexpected fluctuation, these will help provide certainty to growers.
He said these standards will be the future of wool production.
“The market pendulum has been swinging this way for some time, and now is the right moment to encourage more of our woolgrowers to consider their options, not just because of the ethical principles but it’s also a proven example of how to add-value to fibre for the future,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to growing this new wool supply chain that will directly benefit AWN woolgrowers with bonus market premiums.”
