Group set up to combat shearers' drug use

Farmers, unions and wool producers have agreed to form a group to work out ways to deal with the concerning use of drugs and alcohol in the industry.

Industry groups and unions have teamed up to combat alcohol and drug use by sheep shearers.

The National Farmers' Federation, Australian Workers' Union, Shearing Contractors Association of Australia and WoolProducers Australia have agreed to work together on solutions to improve workplace health and safety.

"The use of drugs in the industry is a concern. A collaborative approach from the industry stakeholders is about protecting the farmer, the shearing contractor and the employee from those who turn up to work under the influence of either drugs or alcohol," NFF president Brent Finlay said in a joint statement on Wednesday.