The Welsh Government has promised to use British wool as insulation in the country's public buildings.

The move comes after a petition launched earlier this year called on the UK government to use sustainable British Wool products for new home insulation and carpeting in any publicly financed building projects.

The petition started in response to critically low prices for wool paid to many of the UK’s sheep farmers this summer.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “NSA is very pleased to hear the encouraging news of the Welsh Government’s future intention, aiming to use British Wool in its buildings, a move that we hope has been noted in Westminster and elsewhere, and will become standard for all public buildings across the UK.

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“Whilst we welcome this announcement from Welsh Government, we also must recognise calls from opposition parties to confirm this pledge with a more formal commitment to fully ensure this future positive move for the UK’s sheep farmers.”

As many strive to now lead more sustainable and environmentally friendly lives the use of wool for home insulation and interiors is an improvement that offers valuable qualities to homes, businesses and public places. It is fire-retardant, biodegradable and the most efficient form of insulation.

Mr Stocker continued: “Wool is such a fantastic resource to use for home improvements such as loft and wall insulation. Some may claim it can cause problems with pest infestation, but this is nothing that cannot be easily overcome by technical creativity through treatment or with the use of additional physical barriers.”

An increase in its use could revive wool manufacturing industries that once were an important sector in the UK. Its use, of course, also supports traditional sheep farming families working hard to produce both meat and wool whilst maintaining the beautiful countryside.