Quality Falkland Wool Accreditation Scheme

The Farmers Association, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture (DoA), introduced a quality assurance scheme for the wool industry. The aim of the voluntary scheme, Quality Falkland Wool (QFW), is to improve the quality of preparation of the national clip through the introduction of specific requirements for infrastructure in woolsheds, standards for preparation and packaging of the wool clip. The DoA acts as an independent body used for accreditation and inspection of the scheme and also provides advice and support to stencil holders.

Following very well attended wool classing workshops conducted in 2005, 2015 & lastly in 2017 with the highly regarded Des Humphry from Australia, it was decided that for those wool growers who are in the QFW scheme and had attended and successfully completed the course, a new owner/classer stencil would be available to be applied to all bales of wool on the property.

It was decided, with approval of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, that QFW farms would self-audit before the shearing season commenced and DoA staff would visit where applicable. All farms that self-audit and return their completed forms to the DoA are issued a certificate to display in their shearing sheds. This indicates that the grower and farm fully comply with the guidelines set down in the QFW standards.

There has never been a more important time than right now, in 2024, to project wool as the fibre of choice, especially in the face of climate change, fast fashion and consumer demands for ethical and traceable clothing that prove animal health & welfare.

Although the QFW scheme is not an international one it is recognised by the IWTO under Other Provenances and Quality Schemes Used for Wool therefore with growing pressure worldwide to improve and project wool as a more versatile and competitive product, the importance of wool preparation and correct handling is constantly growing and Falkland Islands bales bearing the QFW logo give buyers confidence that the wool is prepared to a consistently high and uniform level.

The QFW Scheme has been through a thorough review and is being laid out this coming 2024/25 season as a draft standard using a completely new auditing system.

 If you would like to know more about the QFW Scheme or are interested in joining please contact the DOA.