The meeting, chaired by Liz Saville Roberts MP, was a follow-up to a meeting convened by members last year, in response to reports that there were plans to reduce British Wool's services in Meirionnydd and to charge members for transportation from the Dinas Mawddwy store.
British Wool restructure
Andrew Hogley opened the meeting and said: “Over the last year British Wool has restructured its operations and taken significant cost out of the organisation. The number of grading depots across the UK was reduced from 12 to eight and savings were also made in Head Office. In total the savings amount to approximately £1.5m per annum which should help support returns. In delivering this, British Wool maintained the service to its members and abolished transport charges from all drop points.”
Mr Hogley stated that the Porthmadog depot continues to serve the area, with a medium-term plan to relocate to a new site on the outskirts of the town. This will provide an opportunity to modernise the collection and distribution process.
In Dinas Mawddwy the wool drop service at the depot has continued and it was ensured that no cost was levied on anyone who chose to transport the wool there.
Wool handled down 4% this year
British Wool has successfully operated out of one of the buildings at Dinas this season and will look to secure an alternative use for the second building in the future. The amount of wool handled by British Wool in North Wales is down around 4% this year.
In terms of marketing, British Wool’s management team is focused on developing the ‘British Wool’ brand identity with a focus on quality, environmental sustainability and traceability.
Mr Hogley highlighted a number of new British Wool licensees across a wide range of products including carpet, mattress, bedding and clothing manufacturers that are now sourcing wool through the collective marketing scheme.
New partnership
British Wool is also working in partnership with Menter Môn and the Wool Testing Authority in Caernarfon to support ‘Made of Wool’, a scheme which has been developed to specifically support Welsh Wool and Welsh wool manufacturers.
It was reported that the price of wool was moving up again, that the wool stock had been sold last year and that the new markets provided an opportunity to increase the value of the fleece.
Meirionnydd County Chairman Rhodri Jones said: “It’s pleasing to hear that British Wool is making every effort to promote the value and many benefits of British wool to the consumer. After two seasons of despearately low prices it is encouranging to hear that the price of wool is increasing.
“I would urge all farmers to continue to use the British Wool Marketing Board, as the best benefits to the industry are the amount of product that can be sold.”