Wool exports in capless packs

Press, 31 March 1989, Page 16

Wool exports in capless packs

Capless packs will have to be used for all New Zealand wool exports from July, 1992, said the chairman of the New Zealand Wool Board, Mr Pat Morrison.

He told the Meat and Wool Boards’ Electoral Committee the' importation and unrestricted use of capless packs would now be permitted. The importation of conventional packs would be phased out by September 30, 1990. The board would endeavour to have all wool used within New Zealand in capless packs from July 1993. Mr Morrison said that while the New Zealand wool industry had kept abreast of developments in processing, specifying and marketing wool, it had let itself down in the way the product was packaged. The International Wool Textile Organisation had criticised New Zealand’s packaging standards, saying they were inferior to those of Australia. Individual customers had complained about the conventional packs. The separate caps, and the sewing twine, could become mixed up in wool for processing. Contamination from stray fibre could cause damage which exceeded the value of the wool itself.

Capless packs had been

trialled in the South Island since 1987. The trials had shown that economic conversion of wool presses to handle capless bales was possible “Modifying presses is quite simple, and the cost is between $2OO and $5OO, depending on the system used The board is looking at ways to minimise the cost to farmers,” said Mr Morrison. Capless packs offered cost advantages for growers, although those with less than 2500 sheep would find the advantages would be medium term rather than short term. Although conventional packs would be phased out by September 1990, the board did not expect supplies of these packs to dry up overnight. Supplies should cover the 1990-91 season. Recycled packs should still be available after then for growers who preferred to delay their conversion. Mr Morrison said he was sure the quality improvement for customers represented by the packs would be welcomed by brokers, scourers and central wool facilities. The board would mount an information campaign to let growers and the trade know about the changes needed as well as provide information on the conversion of presses, Mr Morrison said.