Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
2500. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has commissioned an analysis of the impact of Covid-19 on sheep wool markets; the financial impact this will have on the farmers affected and the domestic economy; his plans to provide financial supports to those affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19416/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2501. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 252 of 11 November 2020, the status of the review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool based products; when the review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19417/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2502. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide additional financial supports to sheep farmers in consideration of the deterioration in wool prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19418/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2550. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to introduce new supports or enhance existing supports for sheep farmers in response to ongoing depressed wool prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20277/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2500 to 2502, inclusive, and 2550 together.
Wool production is an important component of agri-industry. It is a sustainable, organic, renewable natural material which can be used in a wide range of products such as textiles, fertilisers, insulation and packaging.
Following the allocation of the significant amount of €100,000 for the review of the potential demand in international markets for wool-based products such as insulation and fertilisers, I initiated a consultation process to determine the terms of reference for such a review. Details of the proposed Terms of Reference to implement this review were published on the Department's website www.agriculture.gov.ie under ‘Consultations’ on the 11th March, 2021 and include but are not limited to the following - The identification of market opportunities domestically and internationally for wool based products; carrying out economic feasibility and cost benefit analysis on proposed market opportunities; determining mechanisms that could be used to support industry initiatives and identification of potential research projects applicable to supporting the identified market opportunities.
Interested parties were invited to submit comments on the proposed Terms of Reference and/or submissions on the potential market opportunities for wool products on the domestic and international markets. The closing date for submissions was 2 April 2021 and my officials are currently reviewing the 38 submissions received with a view to finalising the terms of reference. The time frame for the completion of the review including the e tendering process, consultation with stakeholders and publication of the report is end of November 2021.
There are no plans to carry out a review on the impact of COVID-19 on the sheep sector. It should be noted that currently the national average sheep price is 626.08c/Kg which is 20.7% higher than the same period last year. Year to date slaughter is also down 7.7% on the same period last year. Additionally, the value of sheep exports increased by 12% according to estimates from Bord Bia’s performance and prospects 2020 – 2021. This strong performance is expected to continue in 2021 in the context of contracting supplies globally.
