Shearing sheep in the United Kingdom. Image – British Wool.

A UNITED Kingdom decision to deny overseas sheep shearers concessional visas this year will be a blow to the Australian industry, according to a shearing contractor sector leader.

The UK’s Home Office has denied an application for temporary visa concession that since 2011 has enabled 75-100 shearers in from the Southern Hemisphere to shear 1.5-2 million sheep in the UK.

The UK’s National Sheep Association 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.

The UK sheep and shearing industry is also highlighting the potential animal welfare impacts the decision might have and has sought the support of the RSPCA in the UK.

Shearing Contractors Association of Australian secretary Jason Letchford said ‘continuity of work’ is the key to the competitiveness of the wool harvesting industry, to attract and retain quality workers.

“When shearing workers have continuity of work, the industry is very competitive in terms of annual income.

“However, where work is intermittent, good workers leave the industry,” he said.

“Although it will only affect 75-100 Australian and NZ shearers, removing access to the UK market for Australian and NZ workers is a blow to the Australian industry.”

Earlier this month NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said the NSA is dismayed to see the response from Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp to National Association of Agricultural Contractors chief executive Jill Hewitt that its visa concession application has been rejected.

NSA policy manager Michael Priestley said the industry has successfully secured a concession every year since 2011.

“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 1000 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.”

The NAAC is not giving up

Sheep Central has been told the UK Government is trying to shut down all visa concessions as part of a sweep to reduce immigration and is telling the UK sheep industry it has had 14 years managing the concession when it should have been training UK workers to shear.

However, Ms Hewitt said the NAAC training skilled shearers is not easy, as it is a seasonal operation that requires fitness and extreme skill.

“It is not a ‘trade’ that everyone can or wants to do and it is very difficult to get the necessary skill to protect animal welfare on a three month a year shearing season.

“UK shearers continue to be trained, but we still need professional overseas shearers to support the UK shearing team,” she said.

Ms Hewitt said the UK industry is working on still welcoming overseas shearers into the UK this year.

“What we do need is overseas shearers to know that we will be welcoming them to the UK, but we are just negotiating the best entry route this season. We will still need them though!,” she said.

“First, we need to be clear this is not over and we are working with government to try and ensure the concession remains so that overseas shearers can come to the UK (as normal).

“If that is not possible, then shearers will need to come in on the Youth Mobility Scheme but that is a last resort option as it is significantly more expensive,” she said.

The NAAC estimates that 50-75 skilled overseas shearers entered the UK in 2025. The NAAC said while this may not seem a huge number, the shearers are critical to the UK sheep industry as they are highly skilled, able to work across the UK and clear huge numbers of sheep in a few months.

Each shearer can potentially shear 20,000-plus sheep during their stay and make a significant contribution – well over a million and a half plus sheep shorn each year overall. The association said.

The NAAC said 1.5 million-plus sheep — in a limited weather window, is a huge gap to fill if it cannot bring in overseas shearers. Many of the shearers who travel are professional shearers, able to shear approx. 200-400 sheep/day.

“These are exceptional rates, with many ‘average’ good shearers expecting to complete perhaps 100-150 sheep/day.

“The overseas shearers are therefore essential to ensure that the operation can be carried out swiftly, within the necessary timescale and to high standards of animal welfare,” the NAAC said.

MP letter campaign underway

The UK industry’s wool marketing arm, British Wool, is part of an initiative with the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC), the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and the National Sheep Association (NSA) to raise concerns regarding the availability of shearers for the 2026 shearing season.

All UK sheep industry stakeholders are being “strongly encouraged” to write to their local MP to highlight the importance of overseas shearers to the UK sheep industry and to urge the government to reconsider its position.

British Wool said it has trained more than 4000 people on its shearing courses over the past five years and will continue to invest in training and skills development.

“Our courses for the 2026 season have recently been announced, with almost 1000 places available, but the reality is that overseas shearers remain an essential part of the UK shearing workforce.

“Their contribution supports timely shearing, safeguards animal welfare, and strengthens the sharing of skills and best practices across borders,” British Wool said.

“Your voice matters. MPs need to hear directly from those affected on the ground. A short letter or email to your MP explaining how this decision impacts your business, the industry and the welfare of your sheep can make a real difference. A suggested letter template here.

letter to MP from contractors farmers Final

Overseas Shearers_Welsh Letter

British Wool, alongside NAAC, NFU and NSA, will continue to engage with government and industry partners on this critical issue, the body said.