Publication - Research and analysis

Animal Welfare Committee - opinion on the implications of castration and tail docking for the welfare of lambs

Published: 27 September 2023
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural

The UK Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) review of the welfare issues in relation to the castration and tail docking of lambs as currently practiced on farms.

The Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) had previously considered these issues in 1994 in its Report on the Welfare of Sheep and again in 2008 in its Report on the Implications of Castration and Tail Docking for the Welfare of Lambs. AWC is a GB expert advisory body on farm animal welfare matters. The Scottish Government will carefully consider the recommendations made.

A PDF of the recommendations is included here. The recommendations will publish on the UK Government website in full in due course, including an accessible html version.