November 10, 2020 - 820 views
The Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has demanded that the Welsh Government urgently address the rapidly deteriorating situation unfolding in the nation’s wool sector, following a collapse in global wool prices earlier this year.
The Shadow Minister spoke of her heartbreak at scenes last week, in which an unnamed Welsh sheep farmer created a pyre from 800 fleeces in a Bonfire Night protest at rock-bottom wool prices.
In correspondence with sector officials over the last fortnight, Mrs Finch-Saunders has been informed that some types of mountain sheep wool, specially produced in Wales, is now thought to be worthless.
Commenting on the troubling situation, she said: “Many Welsh sheep farmers are facing a considerable economic challenge to keep their businesses afloat, having lost money as a direct result of this summer’s shearing, where the cost of this essential welfare act far outstripped any money gained from the market price.
“I am heartbroken at the scenes witnessed in Wales last week, where a farmer has resorted to burning this resilient and sustainable fibre after being informed that it was economically worthless. This is the latest act of desperation by this sector, with other farmers ploughing their wool clip into the land as fertiliser.
“Despite considerable gains from my Welsh Wool Pledge campaign, including platitudes from national retail giants and the Welsh Parliament Commission, the Welsh Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs is yet to deal with this situation head on. A plan of action to support this sector must be brought before the Senedd as a matter of urgency.
“Support must be offered to our sheep farmers, who are facing a deteriorating economic situation as a result of the fall in wool clip price. Of course, this must also run parallel with moves to further develop the domestic market for Welsh wool, whether as an insulation material or as a foundational product of the growing sustainable fashion industry.”
