Definition of ‘Merino’
Abstract
At the May 2006 Cairo IWTO Meeting, discussions were held with reference to a definition of Merino Wool. By defining ‘Merino’, its quality image could be protected from potential downgrading by the inclusion of inferior fibres in end products that carry a ‘Merino’ label. The purpose of this paper is to stimulate discussion on ways to protect the ‘Merino’ name as a brand name representing high quality.
It must be remembered that at the farm level Merino wool can vary widely in Mean Fibre Diameter from 11 to 25µm (some may argue even up to 30µm) due to the wide variety of Merino bloodlines that exist today. In this respect Merino wool is no different to wine which also comes in a wide variety of products for different end-uses. What consumer would be happy if they ordered a full-bodied red wine and were supplied with a light white table wine? What consumer would be happy if they purchased a Merino Wool garment to wear next to the skin and it proved too itchy to wear because it was made from merino wool with an excess of fibres greater than 30 µm?
For this reason any operational definition applied to wool products will need to take into account the particular end-use and will include Fibre Diameter characteristics, such as Mean Fibre Diameter (MFD) and Comfort Factor (CF). Attempts at sub-branding of Merino wool based on Mean Fibre Diameter have already been undertaken over the past 10 years or more.
Citation
"Definition of ‘Merino’", J.W. Marler and A.G. De Boos, Report CSF01, Commercial Suppliers Forum, IWTO Congress, Xi'an, November 2008