Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007
What this means for your business
- Enforced by
- The Crown Estate, Crown Estate Scotland, Food Standards Scotland, APHA, Forestry Commission, Natural England
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 7 compliance obligations, 4 practical guides
What you must do
7 compliance obligations under this legislation.
Management duties 7
Carry out cattle procedures in line with age and anaesthetic rules
If you perform any of the listed permitted procedures on cattle, you must follow strict conditions about the animal’s age and the use of anaesthetic. For example, rubber‑ring castration is only allowed on calves up to 7 days old, any other castration method on animals 2 months or older must include anaesthetic, and similar age‑and‑anaesthetic rules apply to embryo collection, dehorning, disbudding, vasectomy, etc.
Carry out goat procedures only under the required conditions
Unlimited fineWhen you perform any of the listed procedures on a goat – such as castration, embryo collection, insemination, ovum transplantation, vasectomy or dehorning – you must follow the specific rules for that procedure. This includes using an anaesthetic where required, only using a rubber ring for castration on kids no older than 7 days, not implanting contraceptives on farmed animals, and only doing certain procedures as part of approved breeding or conservation programmes.
Follow required conditions for any permitted pig procedure
Whenever you carry out a listed permitted procedure on a pig (e.g., castration, tail docking, tooth reduction, etc.) you must do it exactly as the regulation says – use the correct method, give anaesthetic or analgesia where required, and only carry it out under the stated circumstances. Failure to follow these conditions can breach the law.
Follow required conditions when performing permitted procedures on non‑scheduled animals
If your business carries out any of the listed procedures (e.g. ear‑tipping, castration, spaying, etc.) on animals that aren’t covered by Schedules 2‑8, you must obey the specific conditions attached to each procedure. This usually means giving an anaesthetic, only doing some procedures as part of a conservation breeding programme, and not performing others on farmed animals or puppies unless the exception applies. You must keep records to show you have met these conditions.
Follow specific conditions when performing permitted procedures on deer
If you carry out any of the listed procedures on deer – castration, sub‑cutaneous contraceptive implantation, vasectomy or antler removal – you must obey the exact conditions attached to each. This means giving anaesthetic for castration and vasectomy, only implanting contraceptives as part of a conservation breeding programme and never on farmed deer, and only removing non‑sensitive antler parts from farmed or farm‑managed deer.
Give an anaesthetic for horse castration and vasectomy
If you carry out a castration or vasectomy on a horse, you must first give the animal an anaesthetic. This means you need to have the appropriate drugs on hand, plan the dosing, and record that the anaesthetic was given before the procedure starts.
Perform permitted bird procedures only under the required conditions
If your business carries out any of the listed procedures on birds (such as beak trimming, tagging, castration, de‑nooding, etc.) you must follow the specific rules for that procedure – age limits, approved equipment, anaesthetic use, qualified staff, veterinary approval and any limits on flock size or bird type. Failing to meet those conditions is a breach of the Regulations.
Penalties for non-compliance
1 penalty under this legislation. 1 carry an unlimited fine.
Carry out goat procedures only under the required conditions
Unlimited fine
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Meet pig welfare requirements on your farm
Legal requirements for pig welfare in England. Covers the five welfare needs, space requirements, environmental enrichment, permitted procedures, housing standards, …
Meet cattle welfare requirements
Legal welfare requirements for keeping cattle in England, covering the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Welfare of Farmed Animals …
Meet poultry welfare requirements
Legal requirements for keeping poultry in the UK, including the five welfare needs, stocking densities, lighting, litter management, environmental enrichment, …
Meet sheep welfare requirements on your farm
How to meet your legal obligations for sheep welfare in the UK. Covers the Five Welfare Needs, housing and shelter, …
Sections and provisions
9 classified provisions from this legislation.
Duties 7
- Schedule 2 CATTLE: REQUIREMENTS WHEN CARRYING OUT CERTAIN PERMITTED PROCEDURES
- Schedule 3 PIGS: REQUIREMENTS WHEN CARRYING OUT CERTAIN PERMITTED PROCEDURES
- Schedule 4 BIRDS: REQUIREMENTS WHEN CARRYING OUT CERTAIN PERMITTED PROCEDURES
- Schedule 6 GOATS: REQUIREMENTS WHEN CARRYING OUT CERTAIN PERMITTED PROCEDURES
- Schedule 7 HORSES: REQUIREMENTS WHEN CARRYING OUT CERTAIN PERMITTED PROCEDURES
- Schedule 8 DEER: REQUIREMENTS WHEN CARRYING OUT CERTAIN PERMITTED PROCEDURES
- Schedule 9 OTHER SPECIES: REQUIREMENTS WHEN CARRYING OUT CERTAIN PERMITTED PROCEDURES of Schedules 2