Minister Pippa Hackett to commission major study on wool

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett has today announced that she is looking for input from stakeholders to guide the commissioning of a major Feasibility Study on Wool.

Asking for those interested to identify what they see as market opportunities for wool and also to contribute to the development of Terms of Reference for the study, the Minister said, “Wool is plentiful in this country and I am really keen to see how we can make the best of it. That is why I was so pleased to secure €100,000 for what I see as a major piece of work assessing whether or not we can develop a variety of wool products for national and international markets. I expect to be going to market for a firm to conduct the feasibility study sometime in May, but before I do that, I want to consult with stakeholders to make sure we get the Terms of Reference right. Good information comes from identifying the right questions and we want to be sure we have done that.”

Speaking further about the importance of doing the feasibility study the Minister continued, “‘Wool is sustainable and wool is renewable, so it makes great sense for us to see where its potential lies. While its use in textiles is of course established, it is also an organic, low carbon, natural material which can perhaps be used, viably, in a wide range of products such as fertilisers, insulation and packaging. I would like to know even now, before we start, where people believe the opportunities are. I expect the feasibility study when produced will assist me in developing a roadmap for the Irish Wool Industry. And with the help and guidance of a Wool Forum Stakeholder Group which I am establishing, I also expect it to help me to shape future policy on wool as envisaged in the Programme for Government.”

Notes to Editors:

Interested parties are now invited to submit

(a) Comments on the proposed Terms of Reference and/or

(b) Submissions on the potential market opportunities for wool products.

The proposed Terms of Reference to implement the review will include but are not limited to the following:

• Identify domestic and international market opportunities for wool based products

• Carry out economic feasibility and cost benefit analysis on proposed market opportunities

• Determine mechanisms that could be used to support industry initiatives.

• Identify potential research projects applicable to supporting the identified market opportunities

Full details including template document to accompany submissions are available on the Department’s website at gov.ie - Wool Feasibility Study ( www.gov.ie ) under ‘Consultations’. All comments and submissions should be submitted via email to woolfeasibilitystudy@agriculture.gov.ie and must be submitted to the Department by 5.30 pm on Friday 2nd April 2021