Some documents on this site are saved in Portable Document Format . Why we need a scheme Sheep shearing presents a significant risk of transmitting FMD but, for animal welfare reasons, sheep shearing needs to be allowed to go ahead. The risk of disease transmission from a high to a low risk area is increased if shearers operate in different risk areas. It is, therefore, important that there is some control of the movements of shearers from infected to controlled areas, in order to reduce the risks of transmitting the disease. Until the proposed scheme can be introduced no licences are currently being issued to shear in infected areas, with the exception of issuing of licences to farmers to shear their own sheep.
Shearing can currently take place in controlled areas without a licence.
Proposed scheme MAFF propose to introduce a licensing scheme which would work on the basis that all shearers would be licensed and all farmers would be legally obliged to contract only licensed shearers. Precise details on the mechanics surrounding the issue of licences will be published shortly. These proposals have been discussed with representatives from the industry including the NFU, the National Sheep Association, the Sheep Veterinary Society and the National Association of Agricultural Contractors who have all expressed their agreement to the introduction of such a scheme.