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UK Shearers Face Visa Crisis as Seasons Clash
19 Mar
Summary
- Foreign sheep shearers will require visas to work in the UK from 2027.
- The UK government aims to train more domestic workers for the seasonal industry.
- Concerns raised about animal welfare if sheep are not shorn promptly.
The UK's Home Office has ended a 14-year visa-free arrangement for foreign sheep shearers, requiring them to obtain visas from 2027. This decision aims to encourage the training of domestic workers and reduce reliance on overseas labor. However, the British sheep industry, particularly in Scotland where the shearing season lasts only three months, fears a shortage of skilled shearers.
Farmers argue that the seasonal nature of the work makes full-time domestic employment difficult. Overseas workers are crucial for managing large numbers of sheep efficiently within the tight timeframe. Experts warn that delays in shearing could lead to animal welfare issues such as fly strike, heat stress, and malnutrition, with potentially fatal consequences for the animals.
The concession for foreign shearers, which has been in place since 2012, has been extended to cover the current year's season but will not be renewed next year. Industry bodies are lobbying the government to reverse the decision, highlighting that only a small number of experienced shearers from the Southern Hemisphere typically work in the UK each year.
