Thomas Lyons The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) has expressed its strong support for the newly formed all-island Irish Grown Wool Council (IGWC), which was launched on April 5 in Athlone. The council, made up of industry stakeholders and experts from both sides of the border, aims to improve the wool sector in Ireland. Two representatives from the ICSA have been elected to the council; sheep chair Sean McNamara and organics chair Fergal Byrne. McNamara said that Irish wool has been “underappreciated and undervalued for far too long” and the ICSA has fought hard to make the council a reality since the establishment of its own Wool Steering Group in 2020.
The Wool Feasibility Study that followed recommended the establishment of a wool council, which has now been achieved with the launch of the all-island IGWC. “I am hopeful that the formation of the Irish Grown Wool Council will signal a reversal of fortune for the sector,” McNamara said. The council comprises farmer representatives, shearers, merchants, crafters, textile manufacturers, and those involved in research and education. Byrne said the group is focused on reviving the wool sector and increasing the return to sheep farmers for their wool.
McNamara said it is “regrettable that a wool action has not been included in the new Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS)”. “As part of ICSA’s campaign for greater supports for the sheep sector, we are seeking a payment for shearing and presenting clean, dry wool for onward use. The payment rate under the SIS needs to be increased significantly and a wool action should form part of that process. Such a payment would also provide a solid foundation for everything the wool council is trying to achieve, and it’s something that ICSA will continue to campaign for,” the chair concluded.
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA), which will also have a representative sitting on the council, welcomed the group’s establishment. It said the council is set to explore the challenges facing the wool sector, as well as new market opportunities for the product in pest control, insulation, and fertiliser purposes. INHFA vice president Phelim Molloy will represent the association, alongside Kevin Comiskey of Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), David Heraty of the Irish Sheep Shearers’ Association (ISSA), and Daryl McLaughlin from the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU).
The IGWC is a welcome development for the wool sector in Ireland, which has faced significant challenges in recent years. The collapse of wool prices has led to a decline in the sector, and many farmers have been forced to dispose of their wool at a loss. The establishment of the council is an important step in addressing these issues and revitalising the sector.
The council’s focus on improving the return to sheep farmers for their wool is particularly important. Many farmers have been deterred from producing wool due to the low prices they receive for it. By increasing the return, the council hopes to encourage more farmers to produce wool, which will in turn help to grow the sector.
The council’s exploration of new market opportunities for wool is also significant. The wool sector has traditionally been focused on the production of textiles, but there are many other potential uses for wool. For example, wool can be used as a pest control measure, as it is a natural deterrent for moths and other insects. Wool can also be used as insulation, as it has excellent thermal properties. And wool can be used as a fertiliser, as it is high in nitrogen and other nutrients. By exploring these new markets, the council hopes to create new opportunities for farmers and grow the sector.
The ICSA’s call for a payment for shearing and presenting clean, dry wool for onward use is also important. Shearing is a labour-intensive process, and farmers should be compensated for the work involved. By providing a payment for shearing, the SIS could help to make wool production more profitable for farmers. This would provide a solid foundation for the work of the IGWC and help to grow the sector.
Overall, the establishment of the IGWC is a positive development for the wool sector in Ireland. By bringing together industry stakeholders and experts from both sides of the border, the council has the potential to drive real change and revitalise the sector. The council’s focus on improving the return to sheep farmers for their wool and exploring new market opportunities is particularly important. It is hoped that the council will be able to make a real difference and help to grow the sector in the years ahead.
