Hill farmers are dumping wool because there is 'no money' for it - cllr
The government needs to "come up with a plan" for the use of wool, according to the Fianna Fáil councillor for Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, Justin Warnock.
He said hill farmers have told him "they’re dumping wool, they’ve sheds full of wool, and there is still no money for it".
Cllr. Warnock also told Agriland that he believes young farmers should be "trained" to bag and separate wool.
"They should train young people going through agricultural colleges, or through some courses, so that people look after it and it is taken care of".
Warnock firmly believes an industry could be developed for the product and that this could be built "from the ground up".
"It’s alright (purchasing) a sack of wool, but if there’s three or four types in it, it’s of no value, because you have to divide it all up.
"We have a natural product that’s healthy.
"It should be used in insulation, but we’re not doing anything in this country to come up with a plan," Cllr. Warnock added.
The Fianna Fáil councillor, and sheep farmer, also claimed that some farmers may be burning wool because they do not have enough storage space to keep it.
"This is going on for three or four years, and there’s no wool leaving. Let’s starting doing something practical with it.
"There is a lot of woolen products in Ireland, but we shouldn’t be promoting products from outside the country.
"There is better wool, and different types - if it’s segregated, and we know what it’s worth, we can get it away," Cllr Warnock said.
Separately last month Brian McInerney was ratified as the new chair of the Irish Grown Wool Council (IGWC) for a two-year term to lead the organisation.
The IGWC has been to the fore of efforts to reposition Irish wool as a valuable and viable part of the country’s rural economy since its formation in April 2023.
Its objective is to create additional value and ensure that a fair proportion of that value makes it way to the primary producer.
Brian McInerney is a senior counsel and member of the Inner Bar. He has been a practicing barrister since 1994.
In January 2023, he was co-opted onto the council of the Irish Limousin Cattle Society for a period of one year. In that role he was tasked with reviewing matters of governance.
