Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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75. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports in place for the indigenous wool trade industry; his plans to develop further business opportunities for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25978/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Wool production is an important component of agri-industry. There are approximately 46,124 sheep flock-keepers registered on my Department’s database. The data from the 2019 census returns indicate that there were 3.8 million sheep in the State on 31 December 2019, representing an increase of 2% on the December 2018 figure of 3.73 million.

Approximately 2.76 million sheep were slaughtered in 2019. In terms of producing the wool for sale, in general, the farmer outsources the shearing of the sheep and sell the wool to agents. My Department officials oversee and inspect 50 approved and registered wool stores where the wool is held while awaiting sale.

Ireland produces excellent quality wool. The factors contributing to this quality include Irish genetic breeding standards, sheep welfare standards and the availability of quality Irish grass, water and nutritional supplementation on Irish Sheep farms. Irish sheep have a high animal health status being free from sheep exotic diseases including sheep pox that when present downgrades wool quality. In addition, Irish sheep farms adheres to high biosecurity and quality assurance standards. The animal husbandry on Irish sheep farms ensures that programmes are in place to control ectoparasites such as sheep scab that can downgrade wool quality where it is not controlled. All of these factors contribute to the excellent quality of Irish wool.

In an industry such as the wool industry where prices tend to move in cycles and market forces and market demand dictate the price, it is imperative that the players ensure and promote a diversity of options for the product in the market place. Wool is a sustainable natural resource and is used in fabrics, furniture, carpeting, bedding and indeed can also be in gardening and makes an excellent compost. There are many other different and diverse possible ways that wool can be utilised including wool pellet production which is an excellent organic fertiliser, sound proofing, insulation, packaging and as natural slug repellent. The current market uncertainties should provide an impetus for the industry players to come together to see what business opportunities are out there and try to promote the excellent product in as many markets as possible.

You will be aware that one of our actions under the Programme for Government is to undertake a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool based products such as insulation and fertilisers. A sum of €100,000 has been allocated to this project and I am currently examining how best to conduct this review. My Department will organize a consultation process with Industry in relation to the Terms of Reference of the review over the coming months.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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76. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of festivals and fairs his Department will fund or sponsor in 2021. [33523/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is very supportive of agricultural fairs and festivals and acknowledges the benefit that they provide in showcasing livestock and agricultural produce, along with the wider social benefits to local communities.

My Department does not have a direct role in the organisation of these events, but makes a contribution through the Irish Shows Association in respect of the insurance costs involved. The Department intends to continue this financial assistance in 2021 but, at this stage, it is not possible to know the number of events that may proceeed, as the extent to which they will take place next year will be dependant on public health advice.