Wool brokers
As a wool broker, you have a unique position of influence within the industry. Pain relief in mulesing has seen high rates of adoption, largely thanks to the efforts of wool brokers. However, there is still much work to be done.
As a wool broker, you have a unique position of influence within the industry. Pain relief in mulesing has seen high rates of adoption, largely thanks to the efforts of wool brokers. However, there is still much work to be done.
Why we need you
We need you to support the growth of the community and to build membership. Wool brokers were the key agents for the initial adoption of Better Choices from 2008 and for the adoption of pain relief in mulesing.
The adoption of pain relief during tailing and castration is still not widespread, which means that claims of 'pain-free' sheep are not entirely accurate.
This is where we need your help. By supporting the growth of the community and building membership, we can increase the recognition and implementation of pain relief and pain mitigation.
This will not only improve animal welfare but also unlock significant premiums for non-mulesed sheep and those receiving pain relief.
What we need from you
We understand that your needs and those of your growers may vary. That's why we need your feedback on what information is useful to you and what sort of support we can provide.
Whether it's information on where to get pain relief products, their costs, or how to apply them, we want to help you promote positive change within the industry.
By integrating into the Wool Traceability Hub and sharing the credentials of farmers, we can work together to challenge and change old livestock management processes.
Let's make sure that future generations of producers feel proud, trusted, recognised, and loyal to doing their best by their farm and livestock.
What we can give you
The Better Choices wool brand is still active and has been reclassified to cover all “pain mitigation”. Which means that it can also be used for non-mulesed sheep that have received pain relief for castration and tailing.
We are building out some unique training resources that you will be able to use with your clients. There is a strong focus on applied training - how to do the procedures and use pain relief.
How industry wool broker groups can support Better Choices
1
2
Setting High Standards: Establishing rigorous standards for wool handling, and consistent communicating this to all wool brokers motivates brokers to work exclusively with producers adhering to ethical and humane practices, in turn motivating producers to prioritise animal welfare.
3
Educating Producers: Assisting wool brokers with disseminating Better Choices' knowledge and resources to support producers in enhancing their practices.
4
Traceability and Market Advantage: Positioning wool produced with pain mitigation and humane treatment as a premium product, providing benefits for producers and elevating the industry's reputation.
5
Influencing Buyer Preferences: Using Better Choices to influence buyer preferences, particularly those valuing ethical and sustainable practices, to increase demand for ethically produced wool and create a positive market environment for program-adopting producers.