In another blow to Wales’ wool sector– which, like the rest of the UK industry, has seen its fortunes weaken further during the pandemic and lockdowns– Dwyfor Meirionnydd's wool clip depot in Porthmadog is to shut next month.
Charlie Evans, Welsh Conservative candidate for Dwyfor Meirionnydd at this year's Senedd Election, expressed his own regret at the decision.
"This decision is incredibly damaging to Wales' wool sector but it has specific implications for Porthmadog and farmers and local people involved in the wool supply chain. It is unfortunately another casualty of the pandemic and I'll be making representations on behalf of the sector to ensure it bounces back strongly in 2021, looking also for a solution for farmers to deposit their wool as locally as possible.
"Working as a retail Store Manager for Marks and Spencer, I have seen first-hand the decimation the pandemic has caused to the retail and fashion sector which of course has huge implications for Welsh and British wool too. Welsh Government needs to step up to the plate to protect Welsh wool and we need an effective campaign to help make wider use of it, such as in helping Britain meet its net zero obligations through the insulation of homes."
Janet Finch-Saunders MS, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs, has expressed her concerns of the planned closure of the Porthmadog plant by British Wool, saying:
“I understand fully the reasons behind the decision for the closure; the price of wool clip is already depressed and even saving, as is hoped, as little as six or seven pence per kilo of wool might make this wonderful product just a bit more marketable.”
According to industry sources, some 11,000 tonnes of UK wool was left unsold when the Covid-19 pandemic closed international markets.
Welsh Conservative Mrs Finch-Saunders added:
“I launched our campaign for a Welsh Wool Pledge in the Senedd in September last year, and 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.
“The wool industry is on its knees, and with profit margins so small, there really must be a concerted effort by the government here to back our farmers, shepherds, and all those in the wool supply chain to make the most of Welsh wool.”
UPDATE
British Wool have confirmed to Mr Evans there will be a permanent intermediate depot for local producers to drop off fleece and wool clip in the local area. Reassuring in middle of sad news.
