Mohair strength in unity

Press, 13 July 1984, Page 24

Mohair strength in unity

A high degree of unity between all sectors of the mohair industry was the overwhelming impression gained by a Canterbury man at the annual congress in Texas recently of the International Mohair Association. Mr John Gunn, of Darfield, said the international association comprised representatives from growers, transporters, merchants and manufacturers, who worked together to ensure the mohair industry remained strong. The international association was formed in 1974 to

promote, advance and safeguard the interests of members and of their manufactured mohair products. There are 132 members from 18 countries. Mr Gunn, his wife, Heather, and Mr and Mrs Murray Faulkner, of Springfield, attended the congress as observers, the first time that New Zealand has had representatives at the annual event. New Zealand has applied for associate membership of the association. Full membership is restricted to countries which produce a minimum of 500,000 kg of

mohair each year and to manufacturers which use mohair. New Zealand’s production last season was around 30,000 kg and next season could reach 60,000 kg. Associate membership would put New Zealand on the same footing as Australia, which produced 440,000 kg last year. Australia is likely to become a full member in 1985.

Becoming a member would enable New Zealand to keep pace with developments in the mohair industry, said Mr Gunn. A strong international association

would help to protect the reputation of mohair and quality standards. Mr Gunn estimated New Zealand’s production of mohair could reach 500,000 kg in about five years. One of the main concerns of the association is the maintaining of high standards of quality of mohair products. A total of 134 organisations have been authorised to use a mohair trademark on goods which contain a specified amount of mohair. World production of mohair annually is about 20

million kg, of which South Africa produces 7.5 M kg. Other major producers are Texas and Turkey. In a report to the congress, Mr Gunn said everything augured well for the production of good quality goat fibre in New Zealand and the growth rate in stock numbers was expected to continue at about 100 per cent for some years. New Zealand mohair had softness and lustre qualities and with a yield of 90 per cent was very high yielding. However, there was much scope for improvement in per animal production through increased fleece weight. The New Zealand Mohair Association was founded in 1970 by a small group of enthusiastic Angora goat breeders. In 1978, there were 16 members, but now the membership totals 1140. Along with the use of embryo transplant techniques and a large feral population, the numbers of better quality goats are rapidly building up, Mr Gunn told the congress. It is anticipated that surplus stock will again become available for the regrowth of a meat industry which is at present deprived of goats. The increase in the number of good quality goats will also ensure that prices of breeding stock will return to more realistic commercial values than those ruling at present.

The New Zealand association believes that the mohair industry in New Zealand will have a future only if disciplined marketing policies are implemented, said Mr Gunn. A central mohair pool has been established at Pukekohe under the supervision of a full-time director and proposals are being finalised for the formation of a marketing authority.