SHEEP producers have given the British Wool Marketing Board their full support for the way it operates and its future strategy.

The backing came in a recent survey of all 315 producers who produce more than 5000kg of wool and a one-in-ten selection of all others.

It attracted a 28pc response rate and was mirrored by a more informal telephone survey conducted at the same time by regional representatives.

They generally believed the wool board, the largest producer co-operative in Britain, was running on the right lines; there was majority support for shearing training, research and development, marketing and promotions.

Storing wool after September 1 was a problem for 60pc, some of who were not aware of the storage payment and 70pc said that, even if they had on-farm baling facilities, they would not keep their wool longer, although a few larger producers felt it would be an advantage.

In response the board has accepted that for most, the priority is to get the wool off the farm as quickly and conveniently as possible. This could be achieved at a cost, but it appeared that producers would agree to that.

The board has acknowledged that the ever-increasing transport costs from farm to depot are a significant problem. This was confirmed by the questionnaire, with a clear majority believing that smaller producers should take their wool to a collection centre or should be charged the commercial rate for collection.

Although no figure has yet been agreed, it has been decided to introduce a more commercial rate to small producers and to reconsider the differential between the charge made for collections below, and above, 2,000 kgs.

The poor quality and shortage of wool sheets was a major cause of complaint. There are now 750,000 wool sheets in circulation, available free to producers at a replacement cost of £150,000 a year, but 58pc of producers were in favour of the board charging for sheets not returned. The board will now look into that possibility.

The payment system has been in use for ten years, but a number of comments suggested it still caused some confusion. It is hoped that the installation of a new computer system will provide clearer and more informative payment advice next season.

Frank Langrish, board chairman, believed the survey was a worthwhile exercise. "We were not surprised by the replies we received, but we were pleasantly surprised by the number, which far exceeded expectations, and the generally positive response to our policies."