NSA calls for ‘four-nation’ approach to sheep health on back of AWC report
5th October 2023
The National Sheep Association has emphasized the need for all four UK nations to adopt a consistent approach to sheep health following recommendations made in the Scottish Government’s recent Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) report.
The Association is now urging UK governments to consider what next steps will be made following the report to advance sheep health and welfare.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker has welcomed the report, saying the Association is “especially encouraged to see the appreciation from the committee that there is value in a four-nation, consistent approach to any future action or amendments to the regulations, ensuring the removal of potential confusion on best practice in the different home nations and frictionless trade across UK borders continues”.
The report, titled ‘Animal Welfare Committee report on the Implications of Castration and Tailing in Sheep’, concludes that current operations of tailing or castrating lambs do impair the comfort of animals and that solutions should be investigated to minimise this.
Mr Stocker continued: “NSA is in agreement that work needs to be done to find solutions to minimise any discomfort felt by animals. This report is an opportunity for new techniques and innovations to be thoroughly explored and legislation amended to accommodate these.”
While in support of the report’s findings, the Association still considers it important that the fundamental reasons for tailing and castration to improve the welfare of stock, including preventing flystrike and unwanted pregnancies must not be ignored in any future recommendations.
NSA is clear that any future amendments or proposals to legislation must consider the whole farm and supply chain implications.
So far, the report has been published on the Scottish and Welsh government websites, and Mr Stocker urged Defra to follow.
“Defra’s own findings and responses from this report were expected to be published months ago. We would welcome further opportunity to discuss this with Defra at the earliest given opportunity.”
The work was published by the AWC, formerly the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC), an expert advisory body on farm animal welfare matters. Read the full report here.
