In a further move to demand better accountability of the New Zealand Wool Board, ACT MP Owen Jennings has written to the Minister of Food, Fibre, Biosecurity and Border Control requesting the Solicitor General give an opinion on whether the Wool Board has breached its Act with its latest selling plans.

"If the Minister has not sought an opinion from the Solicitor General he should do so immediately.

"Wool Growers, who are alarmed by the Board's latest plan to spend grower levies on selling, have the right to know if the Board has exceeded its powers and is acting outside the law.

"These growers know that the Select Committee who worked through the Wool Board Act were very clear that the industry did not want the Board having any ability to sell based on the Board's miserable performance in the past.

"The same growers are angry that the Board is claiming a mandate for its actions when it has not met its obligations on consultation under the Act. Growers are deeply worried that the Board is painting a very different picture of the attendance at grower meetings and the support at those meetings for the Board's latest plans.

"ACT supports theses growers. There is no justification on any basis for the Wool Board embarking on another grandiose plan with growers' hard-earned money. .

"I don't believe that the Board has a mandate for its plans. Despite my request the Board hasn't made public the attendance or voting records from its meetings with growers.

"The Minister represents Wool Growers and is responsible to ensure the Board is working within its Act," said Owen Jennings.

ENDS

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