Farm organisations have welcomed movement on the commissioning of a major feasibility study aimed at developing Ireland's struggling wool market. In Budget 2021 €100,000 was secured for the assessment to establish whether or not a variety of Irish wool products can be progressed for national and international markets. The move comes at at time of significant challenge for the wool industry, as sheep farmers say current product returns don’t justify the additional work for farmers associated with packing and presenting wool for sale. The downfall in price, particularly in 2020, was not only catastrophic for sheep farmers, but it also resulted in so much of this valuable natural resource going to waste. I expect the feasibility study, when produced, will assist me in developing a roadmap for the Irish wool industry.

Source: Irish Independent March 12, 2021 08:15 UTC