Australia-Sheep shearers get Green Light for United Kingdom from Australia and New Zealand.

AUSTRALIAN and New Zealand sheep shearers will be fast-tracked through the United Kingdom immigration system, thanks to the joint efforts of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, the sheep industry and the UK Government.

"We are delighted that the Home Office and Defra have recognised the urgency and importance of resolving the problems we were facing trying to get shearers through the new immigration system," NACC chief executive Jill Hewitt told Stock & Land.

"This will help to avoid the unnecessary suffering of millions of UK sheep."

Stock & Land has learnt that pressure from NACC helped speed up processing times in Australia and New Zealand from twelve to a maximum of three weeks.

"This should get some of the shearers into the UK ready for the start of our shearing season," she said.

The move to hasten visa processing times extends to shearers already working in America and Europe.

This will mean shearers working abroad can gain entry clearance without returning to their country of residence.

"Many NAAC livestock members have already become licensed sponsors and will be delighted that they can finally start to get their shearers through the entry clearance process," Ms Hewitt said.