Warning over shearer visa crisis 

NSA said it is disappointed by the decision, which was shared with the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) on Monday 2^nd February.

Chief executive Phil Stocker says: “NSA is dismayed to see the response from Mike Tapp MP, minister for migration and citizenship, yesterday to Jill Hewitt of NAAC saying the application has been rejected.”

NSA believes that 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.

Mr Stocker continues: “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.

“It remains to be seen how our UK shearers and wider agricultural labourers may now fare as the UK negotiates future trade agreements.”

Each year since 2011 a temporary concession has been granted specifically for sheep shearers, allowing no more than 75 shearers in from the southern hemisphere to shear 1.5-2 million sheep in the UK.

NSA policy manager Michael Priestley says: “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.”

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