An Industry Benchmark.
The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is a voluntary, independent standard developed to recognise world-leading practices in animal welfare and land management. The standard promotes the development of progressive farm management techniques and the adoption of innovative practices in the wool industry.
Drive Consumer Confidence.
The RWS framework provides a robust chain of custody system from farm to final product, promoting consumer confidence in products bearing the RWS symbol. The result? An increased value proposition.
The Five Freedoms of Sheep.
The heart of the RWS is treatment of sheep with respect to their five freedoms:
- The freedom from hunger and thirst;
- The freedom from discomfort;
- The freedom from pain, injury or distress;
- The freedom to express normal behaviour; and
- The freedom from fear and distress.
For Growers
If you are a grower committed to animal welfare and land management, why not adopt the RWS and have your efforts recognised at the farm gate and beyond? For more information on the EcoMerino Grower's Co-op, please visit the Eco-Merino website.
Additionally Australian Wool Innovation has recently published this guide for growers to help them align to growing consumer demand internationally for their wool "Planning for a move to a Non-Mulesed Merino enterprise"
For More Information on the RWS
You can read more about the RWS at their website. You can download the complete Responsible Wool Standard at http://responsiblewool.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/RWS-standard.pdf