Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 112298

Sheep: Livestock Industry

Tabled: 10 February 2026
Answered: 18 February 2026

Question

Helen Morgan

Liberal DemocratNorth Shropshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department has assessed the potential implications of levels of workforce availability of sheep shearers on animal welfare.

Answer

Dame Angela Eagle
With a national flock of around 30m sheep, Defra recognises the good work that British Wool does in delivering training for domestic sheep shearers, the importance that shearing sheep plays in managing the health and welfare of the UK flock, and the conti...

This is an extract from the Parliament API. Search the full answer on Parliament.uk (UIN 112298) →