16-08-2002

Australia's wool industry is mixing science and farming to set new standards for managing native vegetation on private land.

'Sustainable production is the future of the wool industry and looking after our native trees, shrubs and grasses is one part of that' said Col Dorber, the Managing Director of Australian Wool Innovation.

'As part of our new program, Land, Water & Wool, we're working with leading wool producers and researchers to identify and capture some of the 'win-win' opportunities to combine looking after native vegetation with sustainable long term, high value, wool production.'

'Australian Wool Innovation is taking an integrated approach to natural resource management incorporating good environmental outcomes with production benefits' said Mr Dorber.

'As part of Land, Water & Wool we are sponsoring this week's National Forum on Nature Conservation on Private Land in Adelaide. Our people are meeting with farmers, conservationists, scientists and even economists to work out better ways of managing native bush on wool producing properties, and better incentives to help wool producers conserve high value bits of bush and native grasslands in the national interest'.

Andrew Campbell from Land & Water Australia told the Adelaide gathering 'through Australian Wool Innovation, the industry is forging the way on issues such as productive grazing systems, vegetation management, salinity and water quality.

Land, Water & Wool is a major natural resource management initiative of the Australian wool industry. It is a five year partnership between Australian Wool Innovation and Land & Water Australia.

For more information visit http://www.lwa.gov.au or http://www.wool.com.au or contact Land & Water Australia's Media Officer on 02 6263 6000
ENDS



For interviews contact Land & Water Australia 02 6263 6000