8:47am Tuesday 28th April 2009
SIR – Last November a multi-signatory letter was published in the T&A warning of the impact the Government’s nasty “ID cards for foreigners” spin would have on our cultural and economic life.
We told the Government some people would decide Britain had become too unfriendly, that they would be put off from coming here, and the loss of their skilled labour would damage the economy.
Only months into the scheme, the Wool Marketing Board is warning of a crisis facing sheep farmers unable to find the skilled labour to shear their sheep during the hot summer months.
This means wool goes unsold and, if we have hot weather, livestock across the country will suffer.
The reason farmers can’t attract the labour required is the Australian and New Zealand gangs of shearers who come here annually have decided this year the cost, hassle, and intrusive bureaucratic process necessary to obtain a biometric ID card means it’s no longer worth their effort.
Who can blame them for not wanting to be guinea pigs for a scheme that could soon be unleashed on the rest of us?
If this scheme continues, it will not be just sheep feeling the heat this summer.
Jason Smith, Bradford No2ID co-ordinator, Bradford Resource Centre, Chapel Street, Bradford
