Shearing banned at county show because animal welfare activists say clippers harm the sheep

Fleeced: A shearer at work

For years, enthusiasts have flocked to see a county's traditional sheepshearing competition.

They are enthralled by the skill and dexterity of operators in removing fleeces in as little as two minutes.

But now the event has been scrapped ... because anti-cruelty activists claim the ewes and rams could be hurt by the electric clippers that are used.

One protester declared: "Sheep have rights too."

The annual contest was one of the most popular parts of the three- day Kent County Show held in Detling, near Maidstone, each July.

It involved shearers from as far away as Australia and New Zealand competing to see who could remove the fleece from a sheep in the fastest time possible.

But, following the protests, the event has been scrapped from the line-up this year, infuriating many in the local agricultural community.

Farmer Tony Mowbray said: "This is just complete madness. Shearers are trained professionals.

"Of course sheep get the odd nick, but it's ridiculous to stop that from being shown to the public to protect their sensibilities.

"I have never in my life heard of such a thing. What sort of message does this send? Are we now supposed to not shear flocks and let their coats grow out of control?"

Another farmer, Hugh Skinner, of Sissinghurst, Kent, said: "I just think it is another example of the public being separated from what goes on in the countryside.

"I have just been to the Paris Agricultural Show and they make every effort to bring the countryside to the people."

Sheep breeder Lester Gosbee said: "It is a great shame, because the competition shows people how quickly sheep are shorn.

"Occasionally they do get the odd nick, but never enough to need stitches."

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Shearing has been banned over concerns the clippers harm the sheep

The show organisers, the Kent County Agricultural Society, said the contest was scrapped after members of the public complained about how the sheep were treated.

A spokesman said: "The welfare of the animals is a major concern and although there have been concerns raised by the public, this is not the primary reason for the competition not appearing."

Showground manager David Goff confirmed that people worried about the treatment of sheep had voiced concerns.

He added: "When I said I used to teach sheep shearing, I said it was a bit like men shaving. But members of the public don't understand.

"Education of the public is a real concern - I am very conscious that we need to educate the public.

"In the old days, people were country folk - but now they come from the towns and don't really understand."

He said the event's £15,000 running costs are no longer viable.

One animal rights activist, who did not want to be named, said: "Sheep have rights too. I thought it was cruel, so complained. A lot of people agreed with me."

However, Mr Skinner - who has a 1,200-strong flock of sheep - has now offered to host the competition at his farm in Sissinghurst on July 13.

Mechanical shearing devices are similar to human hair clippers. In Australia, elite shearers can remove 200 fleeces in an eight-hour day - around one every two to three minutes. In competitive shearing, it can take just two minutes.

The RSPCA said it backs scrapping the Kent contest.

Julia Wrathall, from the charity's farm animal department said: "If you are going to shear a sheep, it should be on its home farm where there would be enough time to do the job without worrying about the speed aspect.

"If you bring speed into it, you may sacrifice care and quality and we would have genuine concerns."

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