The National Woolgrower's Association has welcomed the lifting of the ban on wool exports to China following an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth disease in South Africa.
The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza made the announcement on Tuesday.
The General Manager of the Woolgrower's Association, Leon de Beer told Algoa FM News that this was the best news for the 8 000 commercial sheep farmers and 40 000 communal smallholder farmers who, combined, produce 42 million kilograms of wool each year.
"The wool industry is smiling and I think it's an example of where the government and industry were working together to get the market open through negotiations with the Chinese authorities and it shows that while we went through difficult times, we as an industry stood together", he said.
De Beer says it will also be very good news for small-scale producers, as the Chinese market is mainly their export destination.
