Ministers have confirmed sheep shearers and agricultural contractors will not be added to the UK’s Temporary Shortage List, raising fresh concern among farming organisations over how the sector will source sufficient skilled labour for the 2027 shearing season.
Parliamentary answer sets out Government position
In written parliamentary answers published this week, Home Office minister Jo White said the occupations are not under consideration for inclusion on the list. The reply followed questions from Labour MP Josh Newbury asking whether the Government would assess adding sheep shearers to the list and restoring a prior concession for agricultural contractors.
“The Temporary Shortage List does not include agricultural contractors or sheep shearers” — Jo White, Home Office minister, written parliamentary answer, 27 October 2026
The minister reiterated that the scheme is restricted to roles seen as essential to the Government’s Industrial Strategy or to critical national infrastructure, and emphasised plans to prioritise recruitment from the domestic workforce.
Industry background and reaction
The decision follows the permanent closure of a long-running sheep shearing visa concession on 30 June 2026. That concession had allowed experienced overseas shearers — mainly from Australia and New Zealand — to work in Britain during the busiest spring and summer months. At its peak the arrangement permitted up to 75 overseas shearers to come in to support British contractors.
Farming bodies have repeatedly warned of possible shortfalls in skilled shearers and contractors, linking labour shortages to risks for sheep welfare and contractor capacity. The National Sheep Association, the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, British Wool and the NFU have all pressed for solutions to maintain access to experienced shearers.
- Closure of visa concession: concession ended permanently on 30 June 2026
- Numbers previously allowed: up to 75 overseas shearers under the scheme
- Government stance: Temporary Shortage List limited to occupations tied to Industrial Strategy or critical infrastructure; emphasis on domestic recruitment
The written answer does not set out alternative measures or a timetable for action. Farming organisations have earlier highlighted the specialised nature of shearing skills and the short seasonal window in which work must be completed. Their concerns have encompassed both the availability of experienced operatives and potential implications for animal welfare if shearing capacity is constrained.
Practical implications for the sector
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| written answer date | 27 October 2026 |
| occupations excluded | sheep shearers; agricultural contractors |
| previous concession end date | 30 June 2026 |
| maximum overseas shearers allowed under concession | 75 |
Representatives of the sector have urged clarity on how the Government expects the domestic workforce to meet seasonal peaks and on what support might be available to develop UK shearing capacity. The parliamentary reply makes clear the Temporary Shortage List will not be used to re-establish access to overseas shearers under that route.
Farmers and contractors seeking practical advice on workforce planning and animal welfare should consult their industry bodies and veterinary advisers.
