AM backs Farming Union call to use more wool

Neil Hamilton, AM for Mid and West Wales and UKIP Leader in Wales, is backing a farming union’s calls for us all to do more for the environment.

 During Wool Week which runs from October 7 – 20, Mr Hamilton, is supporting Farmers’ Union of Wales Vice President, Ian Rickman, who is urging everyone to consider wool as a viable alternative to man-made fibre.

 Mr Hamilton, a member of the Senedd’s Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, said:

 “Our sheep farmers do far more than just feed a nation. They supply excellent meat to countries all over the world and their sheep produce wool which is an excellent alternative and is environmentally friendly for us all to use.

 “I fully support the FUW who are encouraging us all to embrace wool, as this will, clearly, help us to lead a more sustainable, plastic free life.

 “Farmers take very seriously the responsibility of actively looking after the environment and share concerns about the future of our planet and the need to manage plastic pollution.

 “So please support our local farmers by buying and using wool.”

 Mr Rickman said: “Every year our sheep will produce a new fleece and they will do so as long as there is grass for them to graze on, making wool an excellent renewable fibre source.  

“Fabrics such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, and other synthetic fibres are all forms of plastic and makeup about 60 percent of the material that makes up our clothes worldwide. 

“And those tiny plastic particles which are shed from our clothes will eventually end up in our oceans and take a very long time to degrade in the soil. We, therefore, need to make choices on an individual level in terms of what we consume – be it food or clothes.”

The solution to the problem, the FUW believes, is wool produced by sheep here in Wales.  

“There are over 10 million sheep in Wales, which means we have access to a great resource right here on our doorstep. Wool at the end of its useful life can be returned to the soil. Where it decomposes, it releases valuable nutrients into the ground and it only takes a very short time to break down. It doesn’t pollute the oceans and has many other benefits. “