In short, NFU opinion poll concludes
There is strong evidence that supports retaining the use of rubber rings to ensure good welfare and maintain farmers’ ability to market old-season lambs.
NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton said: “The current regulation is already clear; rubber rings must be used under seven days. Our survey on lamb production and husbandry management methods demonstrated that tail docking and castration is done for good welfare, productivity and trade reasons, with many respondents stating that any minimal discomfort caused when ringed under seven days of age was better when considering the many other welfare and segregation issues that would result.
“However we would be happy to see new products enter the market and for pain relief products to be available for the sheep sector. Injectable pain relief risks introducing infections such as joint-ill, increasing the need to use antibiotics and further welfare issues, and adds another process in time-limited and challenging conditions.”