What are natural fibres?
Farmers around the world produce a wide variety of natural fibres, planting crops and rearing animals. Plant fibres may be from the plant’s fruit (eg cotton or coir), stems (eg flax, jute, kenaf and hemp) or leaf (eg sisal). Animal fibres are from the hair (eg wool from sheep, cashmere goat, mohair goat, alpaca, llama, vicuna, yak, camel and angora rabbit) or from secretions (eg silk). Natural fibres are generally considered more environmentally friendly than synthetics in their production and disposal. However, there is great variation depending on the fibre and the growing conditions. Many chemicals are used to contain pests and weeds. Chemicals are also used in the processing and dyeing which can lead to water contamination. Plant fibres – fruit Cotton is a warm climate tree which lasts many years, although it has been domesticated to be grown as an annual shrub. It requires large amounts of water, long periods of extreme heat with low humidity and many nutrients. It can be attacked
