The Australian Wool Growers Association Angrily Refuted Claims That Members of a Delegation in New York, Meeting With PETA, Have Vested Interest

At a time when woolgrowers Australia wide are seeking an end to the crisis surrounding the practise of mulesing, these personal attack on individuals seeking to bring about resolution, are indicative of the mishandling of the situation by the industry leadership.

(PRWEB) June 22, 2005 -- Alleged claims of Vested Interests" are unfounded and unhelpful says AWGA.

The Australian Wool Growers Association has today angrily refuted claims that members of a delegation currently in New York have an alleged vested interest.

Will Crozier, Board Member of the Australian Wool Growers Association, AWGA, says, "These smear campaigns seeking to denigrate individuals are unwarranted."

"At a time when woolgrowers Australia wide are seeking an end to the crisis surrounding the practise of mulesing, these personal attack on individuals seeking to bring about resolution, are indicative of the mishandling of the situation by the industry leadership," says Mr Crozier.

Headed by the Chairman of AWGA, Mr Chick Olsson, a delegation including a small team of skilled Australian negotiators, senior Australian veterinarians are currently in New York meeting The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA hopeful of a long awaited breakthrough in the crippling boycott dispute.

The delegation will present results of the recently announced pain relief treatment, which is currently seeking registration, a treatment which has been openly supported by all industry including the Sheep and Wool Taskforce, The Australian Veterinary Association and Animal Liberation Australia.

"It should be noted that the Australian Wool Growers Association, developers of this pain relief treatment have sought on several occasions to bring this development before the management of Australian Wool Innovation only to have their efforts ignored," says Mr Crozier.

Despite phone calls, letters, emails and two meeting in Sydney, AWI have ignored all offers of involvement with this potential breakthrough product.

AWGA applauds the individuals who, despite the blatant refusal by the AWIs CEO Len Stephens to even consider pain relief as an option, have invested in the research and development of this new product without the benefit of any industry funds at all.

"For the Chairman of Wool Producers, now to suggest ‘vested interest is an absolute disgrace, when the whole industry has the hope of an positive outcome."

The reality is every woolgrower in Australia has an interest in these negotiations and the industry should be thankful to those individuals who were prepared to risk their own financial resources at a time when AWI has let them down badly," says Mr Crozier.

For more information
Will Crozier
Mobile 0428 820 281
Home 0355 820 281

Website www.australianwoolgrowers.com.au

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