Northern Ireland (NI) Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced a financial support package worth up to £1.27 million for NI sheep farmers who have been impacted by poor wool prices over the past year, following the crash in the global market for wool as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The minister said: “Over the past year I have met with representatives of the sheep and wool sectors on a regular basis to discuss the impact of the pandemic on the global wool market, and the resulting impact for local farmers.

"To offset the losses incurred in their returns from wool sales, I am pleased to announce £1.27 million in support from the Covid-19 fund."

Poots continued:

“This financial support will compensate for losses incurred and encourage farmers to value the wool that they produce as it is a sustainable natural product that has wonderful potential in many different product areas."

When the scheme opens later this year, eligible farmers will be contacted and asked to complete an application form to claim their payments.

The minister added:

"This financial support will be very helpful in these difficult times," he concluded.