22 Nov 2010

Promoters of farmer wool co-op extend roadshow

8:13 am on 22 November 2010

The promoters of a new farmer wool co-operative have extended their roadshow programme by another week as they seek support from sheep farmers.

The Wool Partners Co-operative is proposing to replace the existing Wool Partners International joint venture company formed two years ago with a farmer-owned enterprise.

It says the venture will not proceed unless farmers can invest at least $65 million and commit half of New Zealand's strong wool clip.

The co-operative's chairman, Jeff Grant, says it has organised more meetings in response to requests from farmers.

Mr Grant says one of the areas that has sparked the most interest has been the proposal to charge farmers selling their wool through the co-op a 2% market development fee.

Wool exporters have issued a list of questions that they say farmers should be asking.