The Welsh Conservatives’ Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy, and Rural Affairs – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (September 18) launched her campaign for a Welsh Wool Pledge, urging the Welsh Labour-led Government to consider making the use of Welsh Wool mandatory in domestic and public buildings.
In her statement of opinion submitted to the Welsh Parliament, Mrs Finch-Saunders has also called on the administration to support farmers by acting quickly to develop the wool insulation market further and to encourage the wider use of Welsh wool by the fashion industry.
Earlier this month, the Shadow Minister wrote to the Campaign for Wool to request a meeting so that officials may discuss how to better promote the natural fibre to the global sustainable fashion industry.
Commenting on her Welsh Wool Pledge campaign, Mrs Finch-Saunders said:
“This has been an incredibly difficult year for Welsh sheep farmers, with many regrettably taking the difficult decision to burn or plough this material as a direct result of the collapse in wool clip price. With this in mind, I have now introduced the Welsh Wool Pledge.
“Whilst I have been pleased at the warm reception granted to calls by the Welsh Conservatives to use more of our nation’s wool in the furnishings of public buildings, it is time for the government in Wales to pledge to do everything possible to promote the use of Welsh wool across a range of industries.
“From sustainable fashion to home insulation, the Welsh Wool Pledge is a way of recognising that Welsh wool is a sustainable, fire-retardant, bio-degradable fibre and one of the most efficient forms of insulation. I urge the government in Wales to get on board and back the pledge.
“In conjunction with my work to kickstart a Welsh Green Home Grant, I am also now writing to all Welsh local authority leaders to ask that they look at using Welsh wool to insulate new local authority homes and in any necessary upgrades in the years ahead.
“From our moves to increase the shelf-life of Welsh lamb, to our campaign to better the supply chain for producers of dairy products, the Welsh Conservatives recognise that elected Members have a platform from which to pursue policies which put farmers at the heart of devolution.”
