Reacting to the recent turmoil that has seen chief executive officer Brenda McGahan resign citing dissent within the board, AASMB president Tom Ashby has called on the directors to pull together and lead the industry.

“We’d encourage the chairman to come forward, disclose what’s going on and outline how it is being addressed. AWI must get on with what it is there to do – that is, look after grower interests,” Mr Ashby says.

He says wool-growers have given a clear mandate to the process of electing AWI board directors.

“But if directors can’t be relied upon to guide and deliver what was promised, then they are not fulfilling their obligations to the very people who put them there.

“They have a responsibility to growers, and if they are not prepared to oversee the execution of the clear mandate given by growers at the last AWI AGM and through the WoolPoll process, then they should be asking themselves if they are the right person to accept such responsibility.”

In October 2009, the majority of woolgrowers voted to retain the 2 per cent levy. More than 73pc of votes cast were in favour of retaining or increasing the levy. Votes were based on the information AWI delivered to every grower in the Voter Information Kit which detailed a clear research, development and marketing plan.

Mr Ashby warns that if the dissent continues, the fear is that government will launch an investigation into the organisation’s corporate governance.

“If that occurs, woolgrowers risk losing their voice, we risk returning to government appointed boards that have no knowledge of the wool industry.”

The Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders Limited (AASMB) is the federal association that represents six state Merino organizations and, through them, the approximately 1100 registered studs in all parts of Australia except the Northern Territory.