More than 480 people working in New Zealand’s wool harvesting industry from across the country have completed Animal Welfare & Calm Sheep Handling training this year to improve animal and worker welfare. Ongoing industry funding has now been secured to continue the programme based on the success of the initial training and ongoing demand for it.
NZ Shearing Contractors Association, New Zealand Wool Collective, PGG Wrightson and Zentera are continuing their funding support for the training along with Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand to address an issue that is increasingly important to New Zealand wool’s reputation and market access.
Developed and delivered by Elite Wool Industry Training, the Animal Welfare & Calm Sheep Handling programme draws on Elite’s extensive experience in shearing and wool handling training. The programme has been further refined through consultation and collaboration with industry stakeholders, government representatives and animal welfare experts to ensure it meets the practical needs of those working in New Zealand’s wool harvesting industry.
Growing uptake from shearing contractors wanting to train entire teams through the programme is contributing to its success. The ongoing funding aims to see training delivered to another 400 people over the next 8 months.
New Zealand Wool Collective Chief Executive Ross McIsaac says the response to the training programme shows the importance the industry places on animal welfare as a shared responsibility.
“Good animal welfare is critical to protecting the future of New Zealand wool. It matters for our animals and our people, but it also matters to the customers and markets buying our wool.
“No one part of the industry can carry that responsibility alone. Having a range of companies and organisations continuing to support the programme shows the importance of this work.”