Update of Progress in Dark & Medullated Fibre Risk Project

This publication is reproduced with the permission of Australian Wool Innovation Ltd (AWI), the funder of the work described in the paper, and the Federation of Australian Wool Organisations (FAWO), the research provider.

Abstract

In Dubrovnik, Croatia in December 2003, the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) approved a recommendation from the Federation of Australian Wool Organisations (FAWO) that a Dark and/or Medullated Fibre Risk (DMFR) scheme for Australian Merino wool be recognised in its Core Test Regulations from 1 July 2004. This allows inclusion of the Risk Level on AWTA Ltd Core Test Certificates. AWEX has been approached to facilitate inclusion in sale catalogues.

IWTO recognition opens the door for the DMFR scheme to be introduced for use by Australian Merino woolgrowers in July 2004. The scheme will provide:

• Merino woolgrowers with the opportunity to declare their wool of low risk of contamination by dark and or medullated fibres, and
• Buyers with tools to control/manage the risk of unwanted delivery of dark and/or medullated fibres.

It is anticipated that the DMFR scheme will be useful in countering alarm about the degree to which the Australian Merino clip is contaminated, thereby protecting its high standing.

A project, initiated by the Federation of Australian Wool Organisations (FAWO) and funded by Australian Wool Innovation Ltd. (AWI), developed a scheme to identify the potential risk of these fibres being present in Merino wool. The scheme involves voluntary declaration by the vendor (Merino woolgrower), made at the time of shearing, of the information required to determine the DMFR for each line of wool.

A Working Group comprising John Gubbins (Wool Producers), Michael Jackson (AWTA Ltd), Jonathan Lillie (PTWMA), John O’Connor (NCWSBA), Peter Morgan (FAWO), Lindsay Spencer (AWEX) and George Waldthausen (AWI) was formed to oversee the project. Dr Kerry Hansford, formerly of CSIRO and Australian Wool Handlers, was appointed as Project Leader.

The project has now finalised, and a report provided to AWI. In addition this summary was circulated to grower associations (State and National (including AWGA), Australian and WA Stud Merino Breeders Associations, Departments of Agriculture, ACWE Members, AWPC Members, PTWMA Members, NCWSBA Members, the Inland Wool Brokers Association, ASWGA and Ausfine Wool Company.

Citation

"Update of Progress in Dark & Medullated Fibre Risk Project", P. J. Morgan, FAWO-03-211, 24th December 2003