Home Office ministers have ruled out adding sheep shearers and agricultural contractors to the United Kingdom's Temporary Shortage List, leaving farming organisations concerned about who will carry out next spring’s shearing season. The position was set out in written parliamentary answers published this week in response to a question from Labour MP Josh Newbury.
“The Temporary Shortage List does not include agricultural contractors or sheep shearers,” said Jo White, the Home Office minister who answered the parliamentary questions
Ms White reiterated that the scheme is reserved for occupations judged essential to the Government's Industrial Strategy or critical national infrastructure, and that ministers want to focus on developing the domestic workforce rather than relying on overseas labour. The written reply confirmed that neither occupation is currently being considered for inclusion on the list.
Background and industry's concerns
The announcement follows the permanent closure of the long-running sheep shearing visa concession, which originally began in 2011 and permitted experienced overseas shearers, predominantly from Australia and New Zealand, to work in Britain during the busiest months. The concession closed permanently on 30 June 2026 after the Home Office granted a final visa extension earlier in the year.
Under that concession, as many as 75 overseas shearers could be brought into the UK to assist British contractors during peak periods. Industry bodies including the National Sheep Association, National Association of Agricultural Contractors, British Wool and the NFU have repeatedly warned that losing access to experienced overseas shearers could create significant labour pressures for producers and contractors and raise animal welfare concerns if shearing capacity is insufficient.
What the government said
- Ministers confirmed neither sheep shearers nor agricultural contractors are being considered for the Temporary Shortage List.
- The Temporary Shortage List is limited to occupations deemed essential to the Industrial Strategy or critical national infrastructure, the minister said.
- The Government emphasised prioritising recruitment from within the UK workforce.
The written parliamentary response did not change the Government’s stated aim of maximising domestic recruitment, nor did it indicate alternative routes for recruiting experienced shearers from overseas. Farming leaders have warned that the sector faces a shortfall of skilled shearing labour for 2027 unless new measures are adopted.
| timeline | detail |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Sheep shearing visa concession introduced |
| 30 June 2026 | Concession closed permanently after final visa extension |
| October 2026 | Home Office confirms neither occupation is under consideration for Temporary Shortage List |
Industry groups have sought clarification and support since the concession ended; the ministerial response marks a clear policy position ahead of the next shearing season. Farmers and contractors will now need to consider the Government's emphasis on domestic recruitment alongside the practical implications for scheduling and animal care during peak shearing periods.
