Shear common sense prevails over wool scheme
While concerns continue to linger over the availability of labour for the soft fruit and veg sectors, sheep farmers have breathed a sigh of relief that a concessionary scheme which allows shearers from abroad to work over the clipping season without requiring a special visa has once more been given the green light.
This means that international sheep shearers-mainly from Australia and New Zealand – will be able to enter the UK this year, during a time-limited window, to provide a vital source of professional and experienced staff to assist UK contractors in removing the wool of millions of sheep this summer.
The special Home Office concession will continue to allow this specific group of non-visa nationals to travel to the UK between 1 April and 30 June.
A spokesman said that all those entering would only be allowed to stay for a three-month maximum period – meaning the latest expiry of leave would be 30 September.
Jill Hewitt, technical consultant with the National Association of Agri cultural Contractors (NAAC) which offers guidance to shea ring contractors looking to employ the traditional in flux of Kiwi’ s and Ozzies, said that it was imp or tant that overseas shearers knew they were welcomed by the UK – and that contractors were able to assist them in organising their paperwork to join the shearing teams, with minimal hassle and cost: “We are pleased that UK shearing contractors can continue to access this source of expertise.
“S hearing is a highly skilled, physical task, and were lyon the additional labour from overseas to compliment UK teams and ensure that the national flock can be shorn professionally and efficiently.”
She added that adult sheep required shearing each year to reduce the risk of external parasites and heat stress – and it was important this was done considerately and compassionately to protect the welfare of the animals.
Shearers arriving in the UK in 2019 will need to satisfy an immigration officer they are here, for a temporary period, to be employed as a sheep shearer. Hewitt said that the NA AC was supplying its members with the necessary paperwork to smooth the entry process and requested that the NAAC was notified of all shearers visiting the UK so that rapid assistance could be provided if any issues arose at customs.
Specific entry requirements for shearers include:
• the applicant is genu - in ely seeking entry for the purpose of undertaking employment, or pro - viding services, as a sheep shearer, and must supply an appropriate contract of employment
•they will be able to maintain and accommodate himself without recourse to public funds
• they will leave the UK at the end of their stay
• they arrive in the UK for this purpose between 1 April and 30 June.