Defra’s consultation on castration and tail docking methods should be engaged with by the sheep industry, so policy makers understand the scope and diversity of the sector, says the National Sheep Association (NSA).

NSA believes all farming systems and farm types must be considered in the long-awaited and critical castration and tail docking consultation , which aims to move the industry to lower pain methods.

A full, in-depth response to the consultation will be submitted by NSA, but at this early stage, NSA Policy Manager Michael Priestley says that the consultation has already led to productive discussions within the sector.

“NSA encourages all sheep farmers to engage with the consultation as key stakeholders. While NSA accepts castration and tail docking cause a degree of pain, and progress in animal welfare is an aspiration for the sector, we will underline our caution and concern over unintended adverse welfare outcomes and the need for practical and affordable alternatives.

“We feel farmers should be given freedom and space to make decisions about how they farm and improve animal welfare and ask questions about how the lives of their stock can have pain and stress minimised. British sheep farming is hugely diverse, and this issue presents a raft of challenges depending on the farming context and system.

“There is a risk that legislation can, through no fault of anyone’s, be a blunt instrument, and NSA will advocate for a methodical and measured approach to fact-finding, research, licensing, and sourcing of products and a full review of industry and the unintended consequences of changing practices, before changes to on farm practices are legally mandated.”

The consultation follows several Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) papers on sheep farming, the latest one published in December 2022 which called for Defra to encourage farmers to move away from routine castration and tail docking.

NSA welcomes the notion that farmers should question whether every lamb requires either task, or if the processes can be removed entirely.

Mr Priestley continues: “The big questions sheep farmers can ask is whether either process is necessary, what is needed up to seven days of age, and what will work beyond seven days of age in terms of managing pain and improving welfare.”