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Australia : Continued low production impacts wool test fees

Australia : Continued low production impacts wool test fees

Write: Sawyl [2011-05-20]
The Australian Wool Testing Authority Ltd (AWTA Ltd) Board has approved a 3% general fee increase for raw wool tests, commencing 1st July, 2007.
Mr Michael Jackson, AWTA Ltd's Managing Director said:
“The difficult conditions in the wool industry have continued throughout 2006/07 and we expect that even with improved growing conditions, testing volumes will again decline in 2007/08.”
“AWTA Ltd's response, as workload has declined, has been to introduce technological innovations that lead to productivity improvements in the laboratories and to reduce expenses at all levels."
"The most recent development is to reduce the Sydney laboratory operations from 3 shifts to 1 shift, effective July 2007. Even with these on-going efforts and planned future initiatives, the operating position in future years will become unsustainable without modest increases in our fees.”
“A 3% general increase means fees are still lower than they were in 1993/94 and long-term fee changes are an order of magnitude below inflation.”
“AWTA remains committed to keeping test costs as low as possible while providing accurate, impartial and timely test information to its customers.”