ScotGov are taking the lead again by publishing (27th Spec 2023) the conclusions of a study by the Animal Welfare Council, on the future for castration and tailing of lambs in the UK. DEFRA have held the evidence on better methods for and extended period, but been slow to release them.
Based on Scientific results of trials run by SRUC, and interviews with a wide range of stakeholders, AWC propose that the significant changes which animals need desperately should be acted upon by 2028. It serves as the death knell for rubber rings, and the arrival of proven alternative methods. Whilst sounding ambitious, it sadly confirms that the UK may be late to the party while NZ & Australian lamb meat and wool producers take the lead on animal welfare as pain relief is introduced in that part of the world earlier. It’s an extraordinary situation when the two main now proven contenders for replacing rings are UK inventions, and yet no UK authority or farming industry organisation has shown any practical interest or offered any financial support for either method.