Becoming a livestock keeper: complete compliance guide
- 4 steps
UK Act of Parliament
2006
United Kingdom
Animal Welfare Act 2006
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
20 compliance obligations, 8 practical guides · 4 journeys · 5 statutory instruments
Penalty landscape
13 of 20 obligations carry imprisonment (51 weeks). 5 carry different penalties and 2 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 16
- Occupier 1
- Director or Officer 1
Plus 2 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
What regulations apply to my farm?
- 6 steps
Farmer compliance checklist
- 1 step
Diversify your farm business
- 1 step
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
2 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Occupiers also bound by 259 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 2021 39 duties
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 34 duties
- The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 1995 34 duties
- Highways Act 1980 1980 23 duties
- Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 18 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 425 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 161 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 108 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 72 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 55 duties
- The Housing Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2018 2018 26 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
Regulations under section 13
51 weeks imprisonmentOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Licensing authorities must inspect premises before granting an animal activity licence Local authority
Powers of entry, inspection and search: supplementary
- Cooperate with animal‑welfare inspectors during warrant searches Occupier
Minor and consequential amendments
51 weeks imprisonment- Breach of animal disqualification order in Scotland Any Person
Browse 50 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Repeals
This Part has effect in relation to regulations under section...
Regulations may, in particular, make provision for appeals in relation...
Regulations may include provision for fees or other charges in...
This Part has effect in relation to regulations under section...
Regulations shall provide for the registering authority to be—
Where the registering authority is a local authority, regulations may...
Regulations may, in particular— (a) require a registering authority not...
Regulations may, in particular, make provision for appeals in relation...
Regulations may include provision for fees or other charges in...
Power to make regulations under section 13(7) includes power—
(1) Power to make regulations under section 13 includes power...
Regulations shall provide for the licensing authority to be—
Where the licensing authority is a local authority, regulations may...
Regulations may, in particular— (a) make provision about the period...
Regulations may not provide for licences to be granted for...
Regulations may, in particular— (a) require a licensing authority not...
Regulations shall make provision requiring a licensing authority not to...
(1) Regulations may, in particular, make provision for the grant...
(1) Regulations may provide for breach of a condition of...
(1) Sections 15 and 16 of the Police and Criminal...
(1) This paragraph applies to— (a) a power of inspection...
A person who takes a sample from an animal pursuant...
(1) Paragraph 10(2)(j) does not include power to seize an...
As soon as reasonably practicable after having exercised a power...
(1) A person exercising a power of search conferred by...
(1) Where a person enters premises in exercise of a...
A person commits an offence if he—
(1) This paragraph and paragraph 3 have effect in relation...
(1) A warrant may be executed by any inspector.
(1) This paragraph applies to a power of entry conferred...
In exercising a power to which paragraph 4 applies, a...
Entry under a power to which paragraph 4 applies shall...
(1) This paragraph applies to a power of entry conferred...
In exercising a power to which paragraph 7 applies, a...
If, in the exercise of a power of entry to...
In section 4 of the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925...
In section 108 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (right...
In section 4 of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (grant...
(1) In section 22(5) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act...
For section 3 of the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996...
(1) In section 57 of the Criminal Justice and Police...
In section 1 of the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937...
(1) Section 2 of the Pet Animals Act 1951 (pets...
(1) In the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954, after...
(1) In section 1 of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act...
(1) In section 1 of the Riding Establishments Act 1964...
In section 1 of the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973...
In section 3 of the Guard Dogs Act 1975 (guard...
In section 6 of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976...
Unnecessary suffering
6 months imprisonment- Cause unnecessary suffering to a protected animal Any Person
Mutilation
5 years imprisonment- Carry out or permit prohibited mutilation of an animal Any Person
Docking of dogs' tails
51 weeks imprisonment- Unlawful docking of dogs' tails Any Person
Administration of poisons etc.
2 years imprisonment- Give or allow poisonous substances to be administered to protected animals Any Person
Fighting etc.
51 weeks imprisonment- Participate in or facilitate animal fighting Any Person
Duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare
51 weeks imprisonment- Fail to meet animal welfare duties Any Person
Transfer of animals by way of sale or prize to persons under 16
51 weeks imprisonment- Sell or prize an animal to someone under 16 Any Person
Regulations to promote welfare
51 weeks imprisonment- Breach of animal welfare regulations Any Person
Licensing or registration of activities involving animals
51 weeks imprisonment- Carry out animal activity without a required licence or registration Any Person
Powers in relation to animals in distress
51 weeks imprisonment- Intentionally obstruct an inspector exercising animal‑welfare powers Any Person
Orders in relation to animals taken under section 18(5)
51 weeks imprisonment- Obstruct enforcement of animal welfare orders Any Person
Disqualification
51 weeks imprisonment- Breach animal disqualification order Any Person
Effect in Scotland of disqualification under section 34
6 months imprisonment- Breach a disqualification order under the Animal Welfare Act Any Person
Deprivation orders, seizure orders and interim orders: offences
6 months imprisonment- Sell animal under suspended deprivation order or obstruct animal order Any Person
Obtaining of documents in connection with carrying out orders etc.
51 weeks imprisonment- Fail to provide documents to animal‑welfare authority Any Person
Offences by bodies corporate
51 weeks imprisonment- Corporate and officer liability for animal welfare offences Director or Officer
Crown application
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Crown employees must comply with animal welfare laws Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 52 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Animals to which the Act applies
“Protected animal”
Responsibility for animals
Improvement notices
Codes of practice
Making and approval of codes of practice: England
Making of codes of practice: Wales
Revocation of codes of practice
Power of entry for section 18 purposes
Orders under section 20: appeals
Seizure of animals involved in fighting offences
Entry and search under warrant in connection with offences
Entry for purposes of arrest
Inspection of records required to be kept by holder of licence
Inspection in connection with licences
Inspection in connection with registration
Inspection of farm premises
Inspection relating to assimilated law
Power of local authority to prosecute offences
Time limits for prosecutions
Imprisonment or fine
Deprivation
Seizure of animals in connection with disqualification
Section 35: supplementary
Destruction in the interests of the animal
Destruction of animals involved in fighting offences
Reimbursement of expenses relating to animals involved in fighting offences
Forfeiture of equipment used in offences
Orders under section 33, 35, 37, 38 or 40: pending appeals
Orders with respect to licences
Termination of disqualification under section 34 or 42
Orders made on conviction for reimbursement of expenses
Orders for reimbursement of expenses: right of appeal for non-offenders
Deprivation orders in connection with offence under section 46(2)
Seizure orders where disqualification breached: Scotland
Appeals against deprivation orders and seizure orders
Inspectors
Conditions for grant of warrant
Powers of entry, inspection and search: supplementary
Power to stop and detain vehicles
Power to detain vessels, aircraft and hovercraft
Scientific research
Fishing
Orders and regulations
General interpretation
Financial provisions
Minor and consequential amendments
Repeals
Transition
Extent
Commencement
Short title
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- The Criminal Law | BBFC (opens in a new tab) from BBFC Detailed Guidance
- Understand farm assurance schemes (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Meet poultry welfare requirements (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Meet pig welfare requirements (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Meet sheep welfare requirements (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Meet cattle welfare requirements (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Sheep welfare code (opens in a new tab) from DEFRA Publication
- Soil Association organic poultry standards (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- DAERA poultry welfare (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Welsh Government animal welfare (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- ... and 16 more
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Trading Standards
PrimaryTrading Standards (Local Authority)
Enforces consumer protection legislation including food labelling, weights and measures, product safety, and fair trading. Part of local authority structure. Investigates food …
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Safeguards animal and plant health for the benefit of people, environment and economy. Issues export health certificates, manages disease outbreaks, operates veterinary …
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities. Sets environmental policy and works with agencies …
Connected legislation
5 statutory instruments
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Secondary legislation (5)
- Animals (Penalty Notices) (England) Regulations 2023 2023
- Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 2018
- The Financial Services (Gibraltar) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2024 2024
- Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 2006
- Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 2010
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Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.