National Sheep Association issues alert over shearer shortage
The National Sheep Association (NSA) has issued an alarm over a deficit of skilled sheep shearers after the Home Office told workers they would not be given visa-free access to the UK.
The industry body said the decision jeopardises a long-running international exchange which ensures there is the requisite skills, training and labour supply in the sheep sector.
The NSA believes a global sharing of information and ideas is now at risk as the UK welcomes shearers each spring and in turn sees its own shepherds and shearers travel to the major sheep farming nations to learn, extend the shearing season, and swap insights and best practice.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said for decades, shearers from Australia and New Zealand have travelled to the UK each spring, while British shearers head overseas to extend their season, develop skills and build professional networks.
Since 2011, a temporary concession has been granted specifically for sheep shearers, allowing no more than 75 shearers from the southern hemisphere to shear up to two million sheep in the UK.
The NSA said the bilateral movement supported not only animal welfare, but productivity and the long-term resilience of the workforce.
Mr Stocker said: “Shearers can visit the UK from Australia and New Zealand each spring and summer as part of a huge international exchange, in which shearers and shepherds travel the world making industry connections.”
He added that the implications could stretch beyond the immediate labour shortage. “It remains to be seen how our UK shearers and wider agricultural labourers may now fare as the UK negotiates future trade agreements.”
The National Association of Agricultural Contractors chief executive Jill Hewitt described the Home Office decision as “hugely disappointing”.
Industry bodies including the NSA are working on solutions to prevent a shearer shortage and potential animal welfare issues that might arise as a result of the visas being blocked. However, it is understood some contractors could still have the option of entering the UK through the Youth Mobility scheme.
NSA Policy Manager Michael Priestley said: “The industry has successfully secured a concession every year, but this year the issue is being handled differently and the Minister for Migration and Citizenship is of the view that the industry has had sufficient time to fill the workforce gap. Efforts are being made to explain how valuable the concession is for the sheep sector and the national flock, and that despite between 800 and 1,000 shearers being trained by British Wool each year, the steps required to becoming a professional shearer is a major life choice due to the time needed to hone technique, develop contacts, and build stamina.”
Meanwhile, young farmers are being offered a 50 per cent discount on shearing training after Bradford-based British Wool renewed its partnership with the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs for an eighth consecutive year.
The scheme gives NFYFC-affiliated Young Farmers Club members reduced access to British Wool machine and blade shearing courses, alongside wool handling training, aimed at building practical skills and confidence in the shearing shed.