Section 1 - Management

Castration

The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003 No. 299), Schedule 6, Part II, paragraphs 22 and 23 (2) state that:

Male pigs may be castrated provided the means employed do not involve tearing of tissues.
(2) If castration is carried out after the seventh day of life it shall only be performed by a veterinary surgeon in accordance with the provisions of the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954.

82.	Stock-keepers should consider carefully whether castration is necessary. Castration is a mutilation and should be avoided wherever possible. If it cannot be avoided, it must be carried out in accordance with the law by a trained and competent operator or a veterinary surgeon.