New IWTO Task Team Supports European Wool

A new IWTO European Wool Task Teambrings together wool organisations from across Europe to tackle challenges threatening the viability of European wool production.

Chaired by Andrew Hogley of British Wool, the Task Team was established to address a critical issue: in many European countries, wool is either going to waste or provides insufficient returns to cover the cost of shearing. With only a few commercial scouring plants remaining in mainland Europe and a fragmented collection infrastructure, much of the wool from the continent’s diverse sheep populations fails to reach the market.

The Task Team operates under the umbrella of the IWTO Grower Working Group and uniquely welcomes participation from both IWTO members and non-members committed to supporting European wool production, collection, product innovation, and trade.

Focus on Practical Solutions

An inaugural meeting in September identified three immediate priority areas:

• Collection systems: Developing infrastructure similar to established models such as those operated in the UK and Norway to enable the efficient collection of wool.
• Wool export: Improving movement of wool across borders, to allow for processing, particularly when disease outbreaks create trade restrictions.
• Noils management and trade: Addressing barriers to this valuable by-product.

The group seeks to connect with relevant partner organisations and businesses to support the development of practical solutions to reduce waste and improve returns for European sheep farmers. Members recognise that European wool’s diverse character requires access to multiple end markets, including carpets, interiors, bedding, transport, fashion, insulation, and packaging.

Andrew Hogley emphasised the Task Team’s practical approach: “We’re focused on overcoming the specific barriers that prevent European wool from reaching market. This includes everything from collection and grading to protecting our remaining processing and testing infrastructure and resolving the trade challenges that emerge during disease outbreaks.”

The Task Team collaborates closely with the IWTO Grower Working Group on biosecurity and animal welfare issues, recognising that many European wool producers face shared challenges including sheep and goat pox, bluetongue virus, and other health threats.

The next meeting will take place at the Wool Round Table in Maseru, Lesotho in November 2025.

Are you a wool grower and IWTO member interested in joining the European Wool Task Team?

Membership is open to both IWTO members and non-members actively engaged in European wool. Contact Andrew Hogley via the IWTO Secretariat at iwto@iwto.org to learn more about participation opportunities.

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