This is a holding page during the formation of the Scottish Wool Alliance, and the creation of a dedicated website. Our mission is to support a more sustainable Scottish wool Sector, and we will work to address issues identified by our membership to support that mission.
Follow us on Facebook during our setup period: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593279712261
Issues initially identified from research and discussion include but are not limited to:
- The lack of processing infrastructure in Scotland. Too much of our wool must travel south of the Scottish border to make it’s way to market. With too few consignment mills and no scouring plant, if you want to sell your wool product under your own farm’s or business’ name, it must usually travel south of the border for processing first. We are working toward a day when Scottish wool can be grown, processed and made into products in Scotland. In addition to the large scale infrastructure (ie scouring plants) some are calling for, we believe it is vital that Scotland build a network of small mills serving local farms and businesses. This will cut transport miles and the associated fuel load and carbon emissions that comes from shipping our wool long distances for processing, and will create local jobs.
- Honest labelling and clear provenance for products made from Scottish wool. Our membership will be made up of Scottish farmers, and those working with and selling Scottish wool – it should be clear on the label where that wool comes from. We support all efforts across Britain to fight for clear provenance and ingredient labeling on all wool products sold, but our focus is on Scottish wool in particular.
- We are calling for wool to be de-classified as a waste product, and be re-classified as the farm produce that it is.
- We believe that, if the above actions are taken, this will result in better public and consumer support for all levels of businesses which are working with wool, more knowledgeable handling of wool by farmers, and an increase in prices to farmers for their Scottish wool harvest.
