16th April 2009
Important Notice to Shearers
At the present time the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) is in negotiations with UK Ministers to try and resolve the problems with entry clearance for shearers. We are bringing together industry and animal welfare organisations to support the need to fast-track shearers across the borders. We are extremely concerned that this team of highly skilled shearers are being prevented from entering the country due to paperwork issues. We are facing a ludicrous situation where red tape, under new immigration rules, is preventing shearers (many of whom have previously worked in the UK) from coming to do short-term and essential work in the UK.
This is potentially very serious for the UK sheep industry as we are at risk of millions of sheep not being shorn within the required timescales. If the shearers do not come to the UK we fear that animal welfare will be put at risk.
We would ask shearers to bear with us as we try and resolve the situation. We will put updates on our website as news changes and ask that shearers keep in touch.
Jill Hewitt,
NAAC Chief Executive