Tail docking and castration in lambs is considered necessary to manage negative health and welfare impacts caused by fly-strike, or to avoid unwanted pregnancies and complications during post-slaughter processing.
Both procedures are permitted in the UK however, this is governed by legislation including the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966), the Welfare of Livestock Regulations (1982), the Animal Welfare Act (2006) and the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures)(England) Regulations (2007).
The Farm Animal Welfare Council’s report released in December 2022 discussed the implications of castration and tail docking (which are in the legal terms described as mutilation procedures) on the welfare of lambs and makes several recommendations related to these routine management procedures.
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As a result of this report and due to growing pressure on the veterinary profession and resource, there is potential for regulatory changes to be taken forward by the new government.
The NFU is therefore seeking sheep producers’ participation in a short survey on the lamb production and husbandry and management methods.
This will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of practices within the sector and the necessary information and data to highlight the detrimental impact of introducing restrictions on these routine management procedures.
The deadline for the survey is 26 September 2024.
