Farming: Major wool project gets funding boost
The funding was announced as part of €22.3 million the Department is providing for 21 new research projects.
A Munster Technological University-led project, 'Springwool', which focuses on removing obstacles and providing a springboard for innovation in the Irish-grown wool sector, has received €574,683 from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The project is being run in collaboration with Atlantic Technological University, Technological University of the Shannon and University College Dublin.
The funding was announced as part of €22.3 million the Department is providing for 21 new research projects.
Minister of State with special responsibility for Research and Development at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, announced the funding at an event at Farmleigh Estate, marking the official launch of the successful tranche II projects from the 2023 Thematic Research Call.
The funding comes at a time when farmers are getting little in return for their wool; it costs farmers about €3.50 to shear a sheep with a return of roughly 20 cent/kg for the fleece.
This funding will go towards key research to help create a brighter future for Irish-grown wool.
The different strands of research show the great potential of Irish wool. One application involves treating wastewater from scouring wool. Another examines repurposing waste wool to create compost.
There are also uses in cosmetics, medical device and healthcare through the extraction of ceramides and keratin from the wool.
Speaking at the event, Minister Heydon said, “This investment will help equip the Irish agriculture, food, forest and bioeconomy sectors with the science and technology they need to become even more sustainable and competitive into the future.”
Dr Tim Yeomans, Centre Manager, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre (MTU), said, “We are delighted to receive this funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to support the Irish-grown wool sector.
"This is the most significant amount of funding ever allocated to wool research in Ireland and was driven by the publishing of the Wool Feasibility Study in 2022, and with the support of the Irish Grown Wool Council and the Wool Research Hub.
"Given the opportunities for Irish-grown wool, we feel it will be the first of many projects that will help to support and develop this sector and provide a fair return to farmers for what should be a valuable resource.”
