Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007 will allow only veterinary surgeons to carry out rubber-ringing to castrate bull calves and to remove lambs’ tails, or whether it will still be permissible for farmers to carry out this procedure. [HL2728]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker)
Competent stock keepers will continue to be allowed to carry out rubber-ringing to castrate bull calves or dock the tails of lambs. The Farm Animal Welfare Council is currently examining the issues of tail docking and castration in sheep and is expecting to publish its report in the summer.