Considering the 3Rs for castration and tail docking in sheep

Abstract

Background: Tail docking and castration in lambs are permitted in the UK and are governed by multiple legislations including the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act (1954), the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966), the Welfare of Livestock Regulations (1982), the Animal Welfare Act (2006) and the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures)(England) Regulations (2007). However, with political uncertainty and increasing consumer interest in how red meat is produced, the changing global agenda with reference to mutilations will mean that such procedures in the UK are increasingly under the spotlight and may require increasing justification on farm. Notably, the pain caused by these mutilations and their blanket use in regards to sheep production feature on the agenda of several animal welfare charities, including Compassion in World Farming and People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.Aim of the article: With over 10 years since the publication of the Farm Animal Welfare Council's (FAWC) report discussing the implications of these mutilation procedures on the welfare of lambs (FAWC 2008), and the recent publication of the BVA's policy on tail docking and castration (BVA 2020), in this article we will review the debate. Key areas that are considered include the changes in perception of mutilations; the developments in the evidence since the FAWC's publication; the current legislation and how global practices adhere to these rules; the European perspective of mutilations; and how the ‘reduce, refine, replace’ (3Rs) approach can be applied to mutilation discussions when preparing health plans. The arguments surrounding this topic are complex and the ultimate driver for any discussion on farm should be maximising overall animal welfare.