Campaign launched to get wool into the 2012 Olympics

The NFU has launched an online petition to urge the London 2012 organisers to showcase British wool at the sporting spectacle.

The Olympic organisers have been given a wide range of ideas from wool carpets and upholstery in the Olympic buildings to a commemorative badge made from wool for every competitor.

It is hoped the idea will give a much-needed boost to the commodity which has suffered dwindling demand and falling prices for years.

A decline in the national sheep flock has lead to a recent rise in wool price but demand is still not high enough for farmers to cover the cost to shear the animal.

“The Olympics presents a tremendous opportunity to showcase the best of British and wool has surely earned its place.

“Historically, the wealth of the nation was built on wool and today some 50,000 farming families produce the raw materials for a wool textile industry that employs thousands,” said the NFU.  

The NFU has already collected 5,500 signatures at shows around the country and will run its online petition until October, when Wool Week is planned.

Sign the petition here.

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