Niamh Smyth
Question:115. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the work of the wool council. [18490/23]
View answerThursday, 20 April 2023
Questions (115)
Written answers
As the Deputy is aware, one of the main recommendations of the Wool Feasibility Report which was published in July 2022, was the establishment of an independent ‘Irish Grown Wool Council’ which would be industry-led and have multiple stakeholders from the wool sector including primary producers, farmers and commercial enterprises willing to fund research and promotion. In support of this recommendation my Department committed financial assistance of €30,000 towards the initial set up costs of this independent council.
In December 2022, a meeting of the stakeholders interested in forming a Wool Council took place. This group discussed their common aims as well as agreeing to establish a stakeholder led working group to take the next steps in formally establishing the Wool Council. Officials from my Department also attended this meeting to outline the criteria needed to draw down the seed funding of €30,000.
On the 5th April 2023 over 50 stakeholders from the wool sector attended a meeting to officially launch the Irish Grown Wool Council. The meeting was very well attended with representatives from farming organisations, industry and primary producers from both Ireland and Northern Ireland present. My officials were also present at this meeting to oversee the Council formation process and to ensure that the council membership included full representation of all industry sectors.
Following the initial set up period, the Irish Grown Wool Council will be an independent stakeholder led Council comprising of stakeholders from all sectors of the wool industry. My Department does not hold a seat on the Council. All details regarding the Irish Grown Wool Council can be obtained directly from the Council by contacting irishgrownwoolcouncil@gmail.com.
I note that this is the first time in Ireland that an all-island Irish Grown Wool Council has been formed to bring together stakeholders from both sides of the border to focus on improving the Irish wool sector. I am very supportive of this Council which I believe can provide a pathway towards maximising the true potential of this valuable natural resource long into the future.
Wool is a tremendous product - it is durable, versatile and sustainable. It is my ambition that the new Wool Council will help drive further value for wool to benefit our sheep farmers.