The British Wool Marketing Board is seeking new County members for its regional committees the length and breadth of the UK.

County members are the BWMB’s grassroots representatives, attending two regional meetings and one annual conference each year and being a point of contact for the 40,000 wool producers who market their wool through the board.

Board chairman Ian Buchanan said that County members play a "fundamental role in the running and success of BWMB" through their local contacts and knowledge, as well as serving as the public face of the board.

“The support of our 81 County members is essential in helping raise awareness of BWMB activity to wool producers helping them to understand how the board operates and changes which they may be seeing at the farm level," said Mr Buchanan.

“The collective marketing of wool as undertaken by BWMB would only be possible with the support of wool producers and this is of benefit to all producers across the UK. Feedback from County members has been particularly useful in recent years as wool prices have been driven by the global market. Their contributions and comments have helped shape our communications and policies and ensured wool producers better understand the world market that we now operate in.”

BWMB chief executive officer Joe Farren said that the opportunity to become a County member was one sheep farmers should grasp eagerly: “These roles are important for BWMB, but even more important for the sheep industry. By becoming a County member farmers have a rare opportunity to help influence the marketing and promotion of one of their products at many levels. Their input in the running of BWMB is one of the things which sets the board apart from other wool traders and gives members a unique opportunity in modern agriculture.

“I would urge all wool producers to seriously consider standing as a County member and to help BWMB to continue the good work it does for the sheep industry,” he said.

Producers wanting to stand as a County member must be a registered wool producer and must be nominated by at least 10 fellow registered wool producers in their relevant area. The term of office would be for three years commencing on January 1, 2017. Nominations close on Thursday November 10. Those wishing to stand must be under 70 years of age.