Committee publication · Correspondence · 17 March 2026
Correspondence from Paul Kissack, Permanent Secretary, Defra, re update on Defra's engagement on Home Office visa concession for sheep shearers, dated 10 March 2026
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Animal and plant health
Summary
Paul Kissack, Permanent Secretary at Defra, updates the EFRA Committee on the department's engagement with the Home Office regarding a visa concession for overseas sheep shearers. He reports that the Home Office has confirmed renewal of the concession for one final year (1 April–30 June 2026), following evidence of a significant domestic shearing capacity shortfall that could leave 1.5 million sheep unshorn without overseas labour.
Key findings
- Defra provided the Home Office with evidence of a significant shortfall in domestic shearing capacity despite industry investment in training UK shearers
- Without overseas shearers, approximately 1.5 million sheep could remain unshorn in 2026
- Home Office confirmed on 9 March 2026 that the visa concession will be renewed for a final one-year period (1 April–30 June 2026)
- Minister Eagle engaged directly with Minister Tapp in January to highlight the animal health and welfare concerns
- Defra will continue supporting industry and British Wool's domestic sheep shearer training programme
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Paul Kissack, Alistair Carmichael MP, Defra, Home Office, Minister Eagle, Minister Tapp, British Wool
Notable line
“… the Home Office confirmed yesterday (Monday 9 March 2026) that it will renew the shearers visa concession for one final year.”
Key Quotes
“… a significant shortfall in shearing capacity remains, with a risk that 1.5 million sheep could remain unshorn this year without input from overseas shearers”
“… the Home Office confirmed yesterday (Monday 9 March 2026) that it will renew the shearers visa concession for one final year.”
“I recognise the importance that shearing sheep plays in managing the health and welfare of the UK flock”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗