ON-FARM auditing of AWEX's National Wool Declaration is about to begin.
AWEX chief executive Mark Grave said AWEX was now advertising for an on-farm inspector to take charge of the NWD Integrity Program.
The NWD allows wool growers to declare the mulesing status of the clips. It is also used for generating ratings as to the presence of dark and medullated fibre in Merino clips.
Although the NWD has been available for several years, on-farm auditing of the program was only recently made possible, through a $164,750 Federal Government grant as part of a program to promote Australian produce.
Mr Grave said the main aim was to develop an education, extension and integrity program for the mulesing status of clips.
According to AWEX data, about 12 per cent of this season's auction bales are being declared for one of three categories - non-mulesed, ceased mulesing or the use of pain relief.
AWEX also indicates that 18.2 per cent of growers have declared at least a portion of their clip for one or more of the three classifications.
About 10 per cent, or 2900 clips, have been declared as non-mulesed.
The NWD Integrity Program has been endorsed by leading wool apparel retailers, represented by the British Retail Consortium and the US National Retail Association.
However, both these groups have lobbied for on-farm auditing, to ensure integrity of the declarations.
The BRC has suggested an annual audit of 5 per cent of declarations.
The commencement of the Integrity Program coincides with Elders' release of its latest shearing-shed stationery.
For the first time Elders has combined classer specifications, consignment notes and the NWD in one booklet.
Elders national wool quality manager Simon Hogan said that by keeping the NWD in the one booklet with classer specifications, Elders was hoping to improve the uptake of the declarations, not only for mulesing status, but also for the Dark and Medullated Fibre Risk scheme for Merino clips.
