Defra invites farmers’ opinions on lamb castration and tail docking

12/01/26 - News

Defra has opened a consultation on lamb castration and tail docking, and is inviting farmers to submit their opinions. This is with a view to revising legislation around the practices.

To improve welfare for lambs, farmers will be expected to take steps to minimise pain when castration and tail docking has to be carried out. This could include through greater use of pain relief and consideration of alternative methods which farmers would get improved access to. This reflects the latest scientific evidence and follows expert advice from the independent Animal Welfare Committee.

For full information and to submit your views, go to Lamb Welfare: Consultation on proposed changes to castration and tail docking methods (Lles Ŵyn: Ymgynghoriad ar newidiadau arfaethedig i ddulliau ysbaddu a thocio cynffonnau) - Defra - Citizen Space

Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said:

“We are committed to improving the lives of farm animals and to supporting farmers to produce food sustainably, profitably and to the high standards consumers expect.

“British consumers want high animal welfare standards and these measures reflect those values, creating healthier livestock and high welfare food production.”

Anthony Field, Head of Compassion in World Farming UK said:

“We look forward to seeing positive changes for millions of other farmed animals in the coming years and to working with Government to achieve this.”

The proposals announced today are a significant first step toward advancing the ambitious animal welfare reforms set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, ensuring farm animals have greater freedom to express their natural behaviours and dignity.

The Animal Welfare Strategy builds on this Government’s strong track record of delivering reforms for animals, having already introduced world leading zoo standards, and supporting passage of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 and the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025.

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