MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands wool destined for Uruguay ? Shipping link between the two countries could re-open.

It is not inconceivable that a new shipping link between Montevideo and the Falkland Islands could soon be established following a week's visit to the Islands by 3 representatives of the large International Wool Processing Company ?CHARGEURS'.

Michael O'Byrne who is in charge of the Company's wool operations in both North and South America spoke positively of the opportunities which exist for Falklands beleaguered sheep farmers, who are suffering as a result of the ever decreasing price for wool world-wide. ?There are farmers in the Islands which we have talked with who are seriously considering selling their wool to CHARGEURS in Uruguay ? 1000 miles away, as opposed to paying huge freight rates to send their wool to England ? 8000 miles away, which is the traditional means' said Mr. O'Byrne, who was accompanied on his Falklands visit by Gustavo Inciarte who is in charge of commercial operations in Uruguay and Carlos Vignola who is Chief Buyer for Uruguay. ?The costs would be significantly lower and therefore beneficial to anyone who decides to sell to CHARGEURS. We still have some calculations to work on but I am sure that we can offer Falklands farmers a good deal', he said.

Currently most Falklands farmers are required to wait for many months before they receive payment for their wool from brokers in England, but that would change drastically should they decide to sell directly to Uruguay. ?We heard many negative comments about how long the farmers have to wait to receive THEIR money from England, but we would pay them as soon as the wool is loaded on board a ship which would be to their advantage', insisted Mr. O'Byrne. ?We are the largest combing company in the world yet it is very odd that the brokers in Bradford who buy Falklands wool never offer any to us ? if we purchase wool from the Falklands we can offer it world-wide and obviously this would enhance the reputation of Falklands wool and hopefully bring a much better price than the local farmers are now receiving'.

He suggested that between 100-200 tons of Falklands wool would be needed on each shipment to make the voyage viable, with the possibility of Falklands businessmen and shop owners taking the opportunity to purchase a variety of goods from Uruguay on the return journey. Fruit, cattle fodder, farm produce, sugar, flour and good wines are some of the items which could be imported from Uruguay, should the proposed shipping link go ahead.

?Wool processing costs in South Amer