23 Sep 2020

Covid-19: Concerns for sheep after relaxed rules don't include shearers

From Morning Report, 8:38 am on 23 September 2020

Federated Farmers warn that the new immigration policy for agriculture and fisheries workers has missed a crucial group: shearers.

Although some skilled labourers can now enter New Zealand to operate complex machinery like combine harvesters or fill vital veterinary roles, a lack of experienced shearers could see a 180,000 sweltering sheep are left unshorn each week this summer.

Chris Lewis is the Employment Spokesperson for Federated Farmers.