Welsh sheep farmers will get the chance to quiz the leaders of two major organisations competing to buy their wool during a meeting organised by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.
British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) chairman Frank Langrish and Aidan Walsh, managing director of Irish company Texacloth Ltd, will share a platform for the first time at an open meeting at Llysfasi College, Ruthin, on Monday December 14 at 7.30pm.
In September last year Mr Walsh told the Farmers Guardian Texacloth’s wool buying operations in Wales and Scotland will not damage the BWMB. But it is up to wool producers to decide who they sell to and it is important they make their decisions based on facts, he added.
“I have never refused wool from anybody. We pay the market value on the day and the producer has the option to accept it or not.
“Of course Texacloth is not a charitable organisation, it is a well run family business that must make a profit and I am not going to pay anyone more for their wool than it is worth. But I will pay what it is worth,” said Mr Walsh.
While not wishing to perpetuate an exchange of claim and counter-claim with the BWMB through the media, Mr Walsh said he would be happy to share a platform in front of producers with chairman Frank Langrish.
“I do not mind open debate, but it must be based on fact,” he said.
Mr Langrish said: “The BWMB is the farmers’ business, it is effectively a co-op. The full value of the wool sold at auction is returned to the producer, less the marketing costs.”
FUW’s Denbigh and Flint county executive officer Marian Jones said: “This should be an interesting meeting as this is the first time that BWMB and Texacloth have shared a platform. We believe that it is important to give producers the opportunity to meet, raise any issues and to ask any questions to both members of the panel.
“We hope that members and non-members take advantage of this opportunity and we anticipate that the meeting will be well attended.”
For further information contact the FUW’s Ruthin office on 01824 707198.
