The enhancement of native sheep's wool: Three case studies from some Italian regions

In a few decades, the downturn of the traditional textile sector, the spreading of synthetics fibers and the fierce competition of major wool producing countries converted the Italian wool from an income opportunity to a problem to deal with. In fact, in Italy are produced around 14,000 tons yearly of wool but no more than 5% of it finds profitable applications, mainly in niche markets. Sheep shearing represents for Italian breeders an unavoidable cost rarely covered by the selling price of greasy wool. If not transformed, wool must be managed as a special waste, as the European law prescribes. The above described scenario force farmers to get rid of their wool as quickly as possible weakening the whole supply chain. In order to contrast this vicious circle several initiatives of local wool valorisation have been promoted in Italy in recent years by exploring innovation of traditional wool applications and new market strategies. This paper analyzes three case studies implemented in different regional socio-economic contexts to highlight strategic and methodological approaches for enhancing the Italian supply chains of local wools. The MED-Laine project followed a cross-border cooperation way of promoting research and development actions in the agriculture, handicraft and tourism industries in Sardinia, Tuscany and Corsica (France). PartnerSheep, it is a capacity-building and institutional development project aimed at increasing the ability to make system of sheep farmers located in the Alta Murgia National Park area (Apulia region). The Plauto project, also implemented in Apulia, similarly promotes skills, procedures and new organization models of sheep farming. The analyzed case studies highlight that to converge energies on local wools are justified by economic, environmental and cultural factors. The recovery and the enhancement of the Italian wool supply chain in an innovative and sustainable way strongly depends on cooperation and networking capacities/opportunities among breeders and among them, local government administrations and research centres. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.