Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1323. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts that are being taken to improve the price of wool and to build a market for Irish grown wool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38840/23]
View answerGaining access to new markets and opening new trading opportunities for Irish wool exports while simultaneously strengthening established export markets has been and remains an integral part of my Department's strategic approach to the development of the agrifood sector.
Under the Programme for Government I undertook a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool and wool based products and I delivered on this Programme for Government commitment with the publication of the Wool Review Report in July 2022.
The main recommendation of the Wool Review Report was that an independent Wool Council led by industry would be established. This independent Council 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.
The Independent Irish Grown Wool Council was officially launched on 5 April 2023. I am particularly pleased to see the coming together of independent stakeholders to form the Irish Grown Wool Council. Members of the Council represent a wide range of different industries and interests from within the wool sector including educators, designers, crafters, farmers, wool merchants, sheep shearers as well as industry representatives and farming organisations.
The Council intends to "Promote an Irish Grown Wool Brand both domestically and internationally. It is empowered to create and oversee structures designed to bring disparate groups together for collaboration, innovation and scaling activities"
I believe that the formation and ambitions of the Irish Grown Wool Council will help to improve Irish wool prices and develop markets for Irish wool products going forward.
Further details regarding the Irish Grown Wool Council can be obtained directly from the Council by contacting irishgrownwoolcouncil@gmail.com.
