Denis Naughten
Question:110. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work that he is undertaking to support Ireland’s wool industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16915/23]
View answerThursday, 20 April 2023
Questions (110)
Written answers
I thank the Deputy for his continued interest in this matter.
In July 2022, the Programme for Government commitment was delivered with the publication of the Wool Review Report.
One of the main recommendations of the report was the establishment of an independent Wool Council led by industry which would develop and promote Irish wool domestically and internationally and bring together multiple stakeholders to foster collaboration, innovation and scaling activities in the wool sector.
In support of this recommendation my Department committed €30,000 in financial assistance towards the initial set up costs of this independent council.
In December 2022, a preliminary 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 progress the establishment of 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.
The Irish Grown Wool Council was officially launched on the 5th April 2023. The launch was very well attended with representation from all sectors of the wool industry including primary producers, farming organisations and industry from both Ireland and Northern Ireland present on the day. My officials also attended this meeting to monitor 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. Further details regarding the Irish Grown Wool Council can be obtained directly from the Council by contacting irishgrownwoolcouncil@gmail.com.
I am very supportive of the establishment of this independent industry-led Wool Council. I hope it will bring wool stakeholders across the island of Ireland together to realise the potential of wool as a natural, sustainable and versatile material and generate a roadmap to address the current challenges and create future opportunities for this wonderful product.