The Manx Peat Partnership has begun trialling wool rolls in peatland restoration, but using UK sourced wool has sparked debate over why Manx fleece wasn’t chosen.
In an update posted this week, the Partnership said it is trialling 100% wool rolls supplied by Sustainable Rope, comparing their performance with the coir rolls used to date.
The team will assess nitrogen release, lifespan, sediment capture, water retention and how quickly vegetation establishes around the rolls.
The Partnership noted that similar trials have been running in the UK for several years, giving them a baseline for comparison.
“Fingers crossed they work well, as it would be great to use local wool to help restore our peatlands,” the post added.
Questions Over Sourcing
Several commenters questioned why the trial used imported wool rather than Manx fleece, with one asking: “Why aren’t you using the abundant local wool?”.
Others argued that raw fleeces could be used directly, describing wool as a low‑cost, readily available material that could be supplied straight from farms.
Some criticism focused on cost and the principle of importing a product that could potentially be produced locally.
Assess Processed Product
Responding to the comments, the Manx Peat Partnership said the purpose of the trial is to assess the specific manufactured product, not wool in general.
It highlighted that UK trials show the importance of using scrubbed, processed fleeces to improve longevity and avoid harmful chemicals entering watercourses.
It also stressed the need to avoid adding excess nitrogen to sensitive peatland habitats.
The Partnership added that while raw fleeces might work in some situations, they would not perform the same role without being processed into rolls.
Only a small number of UK companies currently manufacture the product, but they could use Manx wool in future if the trial proves successful.
Cost?
When asked about the cost of sourcing and shipping the rolls to the island, the Partnership said only a small number were purchased for the trial and the expense was “minimal”.
It added that cost comparisons with coir logs, alongside environmental performance and potential benefits to the local economy, will be considered before any wider rollout.
The results of the trial are expected to inform future decisions on whether Manx wool could be incorporated into peatland restoration work.
Manx.News has approached The Manx Peat Partnership for comment.
