Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 114615

Livestock Industry: Seasonal Workers

Tabled: 20 February 2026

Answered: 3 March 2026

Question

Gregory Stafford

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Department is taking to help ensure that UK sheep farmers have sufficient access to skilled seasonal shearers for the 2026 shearing season.

Answer

Dame Angela Eagle

With a national flock of around 30m sheep, Defra recognises the importance that shearing sheep plays in managing the health and welfare of the UK flock. We acknowledge that industry faces continued challenges each year in sourcing sufficient numbers of tr...

ⓘ

This is an extract from the Parliament API. Search the full answer on Parliament.uk (UIN 114615) →