The Farmers Guardian Podcast: The survival of British wool - 'Consumers and retailers need to understand the value of wool as a global commodity'

This week's guest is British Wool chief executive Andrew Hogley to discuss the challenges the industry faces and the importance of sheep farmers

clock • 1 min read
"We want brands to care that they are using British wool in their products."
Image:

"We want brands to care that they are using British wool in their products."

On The Farmers Guardian Podcast this week, business and news reporter Chris Brayford discusses the value of the wool sector with British Wool chief executive Andrew Hogley. 

During the episode, Andrew talks about the challenges the industry faces, his passion to work with sheep farmers, the high-quality of wool as a global commodity, the importance of traceability and sustainability, the value of labelling, getting more young people into manufacturing and the future of the wool industry.

HEAR MORE: Farmers Guardian podcast: Women in wool

British Wool - led by around 35,000 farmers which grades, markets and sells wool on behalf of its producers - said the high-quality, traceability, and variety of wool has been the cornerstones of what makes the product stand out.

The survival of the wool industry must rely on retailers and consumers understanding the viability and sustainability of a natural fibre which is vital to everyday life, according to the farmer led co-operative.

Promoting British wool as one of the most durable, sustainable and natural fibres in the world has been challenging, according to the British Wool chief executive, however the traceability element of the product had been a key element which could help change the tide of understanding between retailer and consumer.  

You can listen to the podcast in full below:

HEAR MORE: Farmers Guardian Podcast: The Wool Library

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