Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the end of Seasonal Shearer Visas in 2027 on sheep welfare.

The department recognises that the annual shearing of sheep is essential to managing the health and welfare of the UK flock of around 30m sheep, and the continued challenges that the industry faces each year in sourcing sufficient numbers of trained shearers.

The department is also aware that shearers from countries such as Australia and New Zealand share skills and expertise with UK sheep farmers in addition to supporting the health and welfare of the UK flock.

Visa concessions are a matter for the Home Office.