Sheep wool torched in protest over 'measly' prices

Most farmers sell their fleeces through British Wool, but some say the price paid means it is simply not a viable option

Farmers have vowed to continue burning sheep fleeces in protest over "measly" wool prices.

Most farmers sell their fleeces through British Wool but some have said the price paid meant it was simply not a viable option.

Over the years, the use of mass-produced synthetic fibres has caused a decline in the use of wool in clothing, with Covid-19 worsening the situation.

However, Graham Clark, from British Wool, said the price was improving.

Wool is often marketed as luxurious, durable and sustainable, and commands a much higher price than items made of synthetic fibres.

However, Jade Bett and her husband Richard, who farm in Yarburgh, Lincolnshire, said they planned to burn their wool "out of protest as well as practicality".

The pedigree breeder said the "measly" payment they would receive from British Wool for the fleeces from their 260 sheep meant "it's not viable for us to send it".

"It's a sad situation", said Mrs Bett. "I might get a cheque for 30 quid."

"I've got to take my time and transport it. It's not worth it," she added.

Jade Bett said it was not worth her while to sell the fleeces at current prices

According to Nicola Noble, from the National Sheep Association, the "wool cheque" - money paid to farmers for their produce - would often cover the cost of a farm's rent for a year.

"But that's not the case anymore," she said.

However, Ms Noble said protest burnings posed "a real risk to the whole industry".

"If everyone has that attitude of 'it's costing me too much money to send it, I'm going to burn it and bury it', then British Wool is no more," she added.

Fleece values have steadily declined from a high of £14 per kilogram in the 1950s, to less than 75p in 2022. Of that, farmers were returned just over 26p per kilogram.

However, British Wool said it still collects 75% of all the wool that is produced.

Mr Clark urged "those farmers [thinking of burning their wool] to talk to us."

"I'm not going to sit here and say they [prices] are where they need to be. There is still a lot of work to be done," he said.

"But they are tracking in the right trajectory at the moment," he added.

Karen Hames has taken a different approach, making blankets out of the wool from her sheep

Others have taken a different approach, including Karen Hames, who became so frustrated with the prices she started having tweed spun from her flock at her North Lincolnshire farm.

The award-winning breeder made 18 blankets out of the wool from her flock of 70 sheep, with her Axholme Valley Tweed project breaking even in its first year.

"Fashion designers need to come and look to see what fleeces farmers have to offer," Ms Hames said.

"That would be the icing on the cake for me."

Karen Hames has a flock of 70 Hampshire Downs sheep

Wool is also used in compost and as insulation, but these industries are relatively small-scale.