Wool industry reminded to beware trading with North Korea

Australian Wool Innovation chief executive officer Stuart McCullough came under tough questioning in a Senate estimates hearing.

It emerged a AWI forward planning strategy had listed North Korea as a potential new market for Australian wool.

Mr McCullough was reminded Australia had international obligations regarding trade with the country, mostly surrounding its nuclear weapon ambitions.

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie told Mr McCullough at the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee to re-examine that strategy.

"We rank those countries between optimistic and realistic," Mr McCullough responded, of the strategic plans for wool sales.

"I think North Korea is at the bottom of the list.

"I will go back to make that clear."

Mr McCullough was encouraged by the committee to "consult closely" with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before considering its North Korean ambitions any further.

Mr McCullough was also questioned on AWI's decision to sponsor the Italian entry in the recent America's Cup yachting races in New Zealand for $4.6m.

The famous Woolmark logo was included on the Italian yacht's sails but was hardly visible, according to some Senators.

An AWI spokesman today said the return on the sponsorship was calculated to be 10-fold in marketing value.

Senators suggested it was not value for money for levy-paying woolgrowers.

AWI, through Woolmark sponsored the Prada Luna Rossa, which made the final but lost to the New Zealand entry.

"AWI's distinctive Woolmark logo is on the sails of the Luna Rosa Prada Pirelli team and premium Australian merino wool is a key ingredient of the team's uniform on and off the water," Mr McCullough said when announcing details of the sponsorship..

"This has been a fantastic opportunity to promote Australian wool in one of the world's most famous sporting events."

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