OUTGOING Australian Wool Innovation chairman Brian van Rooyen has warned retailers and brands could "walk away" from Australian wool if the industry does not honour its commitment to phase out mulesing by 2010.
Mr van Rooyen said growers should be "aware of the risks" if they continued to mules beyond 2010.
"It would be remiss of me not to point out the decisions you make in 2010 will impact on the market, the retailers and the brands," Mr van Rooyen said at yesterday's AWI annual meeting in Perth.
"They (retailers) have said without exception they expect the industry to honour its commitment.
"They are not going to prejudice their total business over this mulesing issue."
Mr van Rooyen warned the industry needed to be cautious of animal activist group PETA becoming "energised".
"We can't afford to have retailers and brands walking away," he said.
"When PETA goes marching up Fifth Avenue, they frighten the hell out of retailers."
Mr van Rooyen was re-elected to the AWI board at yesterday's meeting, but resigned as chairman after candidates opposed to the 2010 deadline were also appointed.
"I'm disappointed in losing some valuable colleagues, particularly Chris Abell who had made a huge contribution to AWI," he said.
"I guess I will be going to the back bench to keep the board honest."
