AWEX SustainaWOOL Expert Panel recruitment

The Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) is seeking Expressions of Interest to join the newly formed SustainaWOOL Expert Panel. The Panel has been created to provide advice and oversight for the Standards, Performance Criteria and data/evidence requirements that underpin the Australian wool industries’ on-farm sustainability assurance scheme. More information about this exciting opportunity is available using the link below.

Applications close on 15 March 2024.

The SustainaWOOL Integrity Scheme

Certification provides benchmarks for minimum sustainability standards within the wool production system in Australia and provides integrity and traceability along the pipeline to consumers.

The SustainaWOOL Integrity Scheme covers 6 key pillars of wool production systems:

Sheep health and wellbeing

Environmental management & farm facilities

Competence & record keeping

SustainaWOOL defines internationally acceptable standards for sheep welfare, based on the 5-Freedoms of Animal Welfare. Growers are assessed for 23 separate health and welfare contributors.

SustainaWOOL defines internationally acceptable standards for farm stewardship practices, including land and chemical management, work, health and safety, & the standards of facilities through which sheep and wool pass.

SustainaWOOL requires growers to evidence competence and effective record keeping, across stock management and movement, health & veterinary treatments, use & storage of farm chemicals, clip preparation, and vendor declarations.

Wool quality & clip preparation

Social responsibility

Traceability

SustainaWOOL defines standards for wool harvesting, clip preparation and wool packaging, to ensure minimal risk of harm to sheep, & to ensure high standards of wool quality. Only those wool lots prepared & packed to standard are permitted to be identified as SustainaWOOL certified.

SustainaWOOL requires growers to ensure staff are adequately trained & instructed, & fully compliant with all applicable Workplace Health and Safety and Employment legislation. Our growers typically take part in local environmental groups, such as Landcare.

SustainaWOOL requires traceability of the individual bales back to the farm and the mob of sheep shorn, and all SustainaWOOL growers must complete the National Wool Declaration. All sheep must be securely tagged to permit individual identification to the national standard, and routinely monitored.

Apply for or Renew your Grower Membership

SustainaWOOL Integrity Scheme

SustainaWOOL