Results of the Belmont CSIRO scour meeting, 24 April 2008.

It was recognised that CSIRO was decommissioning the wool scour and that both transitional and long term arrangements were required to assist the developing Rare and Natural Fibre (RNF) industry.

As a result, it was agreed that:

• The wool scour would remain operational at Belmont for a further 12 months after June 2008. (This period could be abbreviated by the mutual agreement of all parties concerned but this was deemed unlikely.)
• The CSIRO would operate the scour on a cost recovery basis.
• The industry would work with CSIRO to pool small lots of fibre into larger lots and to develop a schedule of scouring for the period July 2008 – June 2009.
• CSIRO would put the scour out to tender by the end of May 2008, with a three month period for expressions of interest. The terms of the tender will stipulate that it must operate in Australia for a minimum period of five years and will also indicate that the highest tender might not necessarily be accepted.
• RNF industry representatives will work with Darren Cheeseman, MHR for Corangamite to develop an industry plan to ensure the industry gains access to and maximises benefits from a commercialised wool scour. The industry representatives have also indicated that they intend to make contact with prospective bidders for the scour.
• Darren Cheeseman will also assist the RNF industry to make contact with the Minister for Agriculture, seeking assistance through rural R&D funds (to which they contribute) to undertake an industry audit and develop a more effective national body to represent the industry.
• The Minister for Innovation's office will continue to assist, particularly through expediting RNF industry contact with relevant staff and programs within DIISR.

This report was prepared by Andrew Reeves, working as the spokesperson for Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.