UK: Active Year For Wool Despite Poor Prices

Wool prices have shown little sustained improvement over the past twelve months Alun Evans, chairman of the British wool board, announced this week.Sales were up however and producer returns had been improved through rationalisation and investment.Introducing the Report and Accounts for 1999/2000, Mr Evans mentioned changes made in a number of areas which, he felt, would ensure savings in the future while strengthening the board's core business.Mr Evans pointed out that despite the generally disappointing prices, the board's flexible selling policy encouraged good sales periods, including the first 100 per cent clearances for two years and, by the end of the selling year in June, 98 per cent of the clip had been sold and only 639,000kgs (one per cent clip), the lowest amount ever, had been carried forward. New head office and depot premises have been bought in Newtown, which offer improved facilities and are more efficient to run. Changes made to rationalise wool collection and handling in Wales will be followed by changes in the North of England next year.Mr Evans, who, along with several other colleagues on the board, is to retire soon, said: "I leave the board in the knowledge that it is as relevant today as it has ever been."