International shearers granted entry to the UK to fill labour shortages

Since 2011, the NAAC has worked closely with the Home Office to successfully manage a special concession for highly skilled, overseas shearers to come to the UK to assist in shearing the UK’s 15 million sheep.

Under the scheme, non-visa national shearers from overseas, particularly New Zealand and Australia, have been able to come to the UK for a short period of time and offer their services to ensure that sheep are shorn on time, helping to protect their welfare.

Commenting on the news, Jill Hewitt, NAAC chief executive, said: “We are relieved that the concession has been extended, as we are expecting shearers to enter the UK within days. It has been a nerve-wracking few months reaching agreement but we are assisting NAAC members in putting together the necessary paperwork for shearers to enter the UK.”

Non-visa nationals seeking employment as a sheep shearer will be allowed entry to the UK between 1st April and 30th June for a maximum three-month period, with 30^th September being the latest date by which they are required to leave. Entry requirements include:

• The applicant is genuinely seeking entry for the purpose of undertaking employment, or providing services, as a sheep shearer, and must supply an appropriate contract of employment
• The applicant will be able to maintain and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds
• The applicant will leave the UK at the end of their stay
• The applicant arrives in the UK for this purpose between 1 April and 30 June

Ms Hewitt continued: “We have relied on an input of overseas shearers, and this resource is essential to ensure that sheep can be shorn within the necessary time-scale and to high standards of animal welfare. It is a relief that post-covid we can now welcome back our team of overseas shearers to support UK contractors and farmers.”