The breakaway Western Australian group, made up of wool exporters, buyers, brokers and transport companies, is called Keep Sheep WA and aims to promote the states sheep and wool industry.

"Local growers expect to have their product sold in Western Australia, not transported across the Nullarbor to prop up the industry in the eastern states,” said Keep Sheep WA spokesman Tony Price when asked why the group was formed.

Mr Price said the group had formed in response to the selling centre centralisation debate but would endeavour to tackle issues associated with progressing the sheep and wool industry and intended to be in direct contact with growers.

“The auction system in Western Australia is the most efficient and effective in Australia,” he said.

“Centralisation will only benefit the industry on the east coast and will result in increased costs and turnaround time to sell Western Australian wool, and the loss of local jobs.”

*Extract. Full story Stock & Land, May 28.