In mid-April the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) held its 93rd annual congress in Adelaide. More than 350 delegates from 22 countries attended, representing nearly every part of the wool value chain, including growers, brokers, exporters, marketers, scours, top makers, spinners, weavers, manufacturers, and retail brands.

From left to right: Dave Burridge - South Island Auction Manager, Steve Fussell - North Island Sales Manager/Auctioneer and Jason Everson - Wool Product and Innovation Manager.

Dave Burridge, Steve Fussell and Jason Everson of PGG Wrightson Wool were among the New Zealand delegation, which comprised around 25 wool industry members.

Mark Patterson speaking at the IWTO 2024 Congress.

New Zealand Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister of Agriculture Mark Patterson was among the speakers, emphasising his background as a Southland sheep and beef farmer, his intention to promote the benefits of wool in his role, and his desire to help lift grower returns. His advocacy improves the prospect of new measures that, where practical would require wool products receive preference over other materials for use in government buildings, including schools and social housing. Implementing this would make it easier to challenge other governments to do the same, helping give New Zealand strong wool a much-needed boost.

Andy Caughey speaking at the IWTO 2024 Congress.

Among several other New Zealand presenters at the conference, Wool Impact CEO Andy Caughey drew attention to the concept of an ‘indoor generation,’ where people spend 90 per cent of their lives indoors, hence the need for healthy indoor environments, where wool can play an important part. He showed this video as part of his presentation.

Other New Zealand presenters included Bremworth CEO Greg Smith, Wool Impact CEO Andy Caughey and Autex Industries Creative Director Jonathon Mountfort.

Emma Gittoes speaking at the IWTO 2024 Congress about Product Environmental Footprint (PEF).

Also featured in the congress were the new Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) regulations set for introduction by the EU, providing stricter criteria around the measurement of environmental factors, taking into consideration all aspects of the supply chain, and therefore aiming to reduce the impact of goods and services being measured. 

Regenerative agriculture was another topic of discussion, a subject that remains confusing to the marketplace, with the need to ensure the right terminology is used.