Week to help appreciate value of wool

The first ever Wool Week is taking place this week – and has received a warm welcome from the NFU.

The week, which will see a variety of wool-themed events take place up and down the country incorporates all aspects of wool – from farming to manufacture to retail.

NFU national livestock chairman Alistair Mackintosh said the week would provide added value to a sector which had been through some troubled times – with wool prices not even covering the cost of shearing on some occasions.

He said: "Wool is natural, sustainable and environmentally friendly. It is also an extremely versatile product and is used in clothes, carpets, insulation and even compost to name but a few.

"We have nearly 15 million breeding ewes in the UK and for years wool from these animals has been seen as an almost waste material with wool prices not even covering the cost of shearing. The true value of wool needs to be highlighted not just to farmers but also to the retailers and consumers.

"The organisers have to be congratulated on the successful launch of Wool Week. Initiatives such as this and our own Wool for the Olympics petition, will hopefully lead to a better appreciation of wool in the public eye and add value to this excellent British product."

Wool Week, organised by the British Wool Marketing Board, kicked off on Monday with the greening on Savile Row, complete with grazing sheep.