Friday, 24 July 2020 11:15

From meat to wool!

Written by David Anderson

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James Parsons.

Former Beef+Lamb chair James Parsons has been elected as chair of Wools of New Zealand (WNZ).

Parsons – is a beef and sheep farmer located in Northland and well known for his past chairmanship of Beef & Lamb NZ and The New Zealand Meat Board. He joined the WNZ Board in November 2019 after being elected by growers at the 2019 AGM.

Interim chair Rebecca Smith created the vacancy when she stepped down from her role of chair but remains as a director.

“Strong wool prices have been through a period of decline for the last two decades and COVID-19 has seen prices crash to an all-time low,” Parsons says. “Yet, WNZ research shows that the price that the consumer pays has not changed, and woolen products are still considered premium products by many.”

He says the current state of the industry is unsustainable at current price levels.

“WNZ is well placed with international representatives and strong partnerships in market.”

The board of Wools New Zealand comprises James Parsons as chair, Craig Hickson, Ian Marshall and Rebecca Smith. Directors who have vacated their positions this year include Mark Shadbolt and Lucy Griffiths.

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