The proposal for this international year originated in theFood and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at a joint meeting of the Intergovernmental Group on Hard Fibres and the Intergovernmental Group on Jute in 2004, and was endorsed by FAO Conference in 2005. It is one of manyinternational observances declared for specific days, months and years.
The IYNF was intended to cover a wide range of natural fibres, of animal and vegetable origin, and with uses ranging from luxurious apparel to traditional and non-traditional industrial uses.
The IYNF was expected to raise the profile of such natural fibres. Observance of the Year was based on cooperation among producers of natural fibres to emphasise the positive qualities of natural fibres.
to raise awareness and stimulate demand for natural fibres;[1]
to encourage appropriate policy responses from governments to the problems faced by natural fibre industries;
to foster an effective and enduring international partnership among the various natural fibres industries; and
to promote the efficiency and sustainability of the natural fibres industries.
Plant fibres include seed hairs, such as cotton; stem (or bast) fibres, such as flax and hemp; leaf fibres, such as sisal; and husk fibres, such ascoconut.
Abaca, once a favoured source of rope, abaca shows promise as an energy-saving replacement for glass fibres in automobiles
Coir, a coarse, short fibre extracted from the outer shell of coconuts, coir is found in ropes, mattresses, brushes, geotextiles and automobile seats
Cotton, purecellulose, cotton is the world's most widely used natural fibre and still the undisputed "king" of the global textiles industry
Flax, one of nature's strongest vegetable fibres, flax was also one of the first to be harvested, spun and woven into textiles
Hemp, recent advances in the "cottonization" of hemp fibre could open the door to the high quality clothing market
Jute, the strong threads made from jute fibre are used worldwide in sackcloth - and help sustain the livelihoods of millions of small farmers
Ramie, white, with a silky lustre, is one of the strongest natural fibres, similar to flax in absorbency and density
Sisal, too coarse for clothing, is replacing glass fibres in composite materials used to make cars and furniture
