This is the time where we reflect on the year drawing to a close and plan with new excitement for the New Year. 2020, the year of the Metal Rat, offers new opportunities, wisdom and friendships.\

We hope that predictions will come true and bring much-needed rains to our Southern Hemisphere wool sheep farmers. Recent years have been the driest on record in many parts of the world and this has put untold pressure on our producers. We are confident that the global wool industry has the necessary resilience to work together in order to increase global sheep numbers and wool production.

As we face these challenges we are hopeful in the surety that everything is possible and that our actions initiated will be driven by success. There is ample evidence that wool offers extensive benefits for health and wellbeing. Recent studies on skin, sleep and breathability are current examples that the industry can cite in stating the case for widespread use of one of the oldest and most noble fibres known to mankind.

The fundamental facts have not changed. Sheep’s wool is the animal fibre most commonly used by mankind and its attributes have been well researched. In fact, the scientific evidence supporting wool’s health benefits is very well-established.

Transparency in everything we do and say will be key this year. Our customers demand the best animal welfare and sustainable environmental practices and we are compelled to deliver on these, while we open our farm and factory gates. New innovative technologies such as blockchain ensure the validity of such transparency by simplifying and authenticating the supply chain.

The 89th IWTO Congress will be held during May 2020 in Tongxiang-Puyuan and will form the highlight of the IWTO calendar. We look forward to welcoming all delegates and wish that old friendships will be renewed and energized with vision and wisdom in 2020. Happy New Year!

Wolf Edmayr

President

International Wool Textile Organisation