Welfare Legislation

Question 1

Which piece of legislation protects all domestic animals from unnecessary suffering and places a duty on the owners for appropriate care of their animals?

Answer 1

Animal welfare act 2006

Question 2

Which piece of legislation protects all domestic animals during transportation?

Answer 2

Welfare of animals transport order 2006

Question 3

Describe the main legislation surrounding farm animals (4)

Answer 3

• welfare of farmed animals regulations 2007 (unnecessary suffering)
• mutilations permitted procedures act 2007 (castration + dehorning)
• Welfare of animals at time of killing 2013 (public health)
• Welfare of animals market order 1990

Question 4

Name the main legislation protecting zoo + circus animals (2)

Answer 4

• Performing animals act 1925

- Zoo licensing act 1981

Question 5

Where can all UK welfare codes by accessed?

Answer 5

UK government website

Question 6

What are the 5 freedoms?

Answer 6

1. Freedom from hunger + thirst
2. Freedom from pain, injury + disease
3. Freedom to express normal behaviour
4. Freedom from discomfort
5. Freedom from fear

Question 7

How much of current welfare legislation comes from EU law?

Answer 7

80%

Question 8

How does current EU law recognise animals?

Answer 8

recognise animals as sentient beings- have the capacity to feel pain + suffering

Question 9

What circumstances are excluded from the Animal Welfare Act 2006?

Answer 9

ASPA (Animals Scientific Procedures Act), fishing, shooting

Question 10

Define ‘mutilations’

Answer 10

carrying out a procedure on an animals that interferes with the sensitive tissue or bone structure of that animal other than for medical reasons

Question 11

Describe the main enforcement powers of animal welfare legislation

Answer 11

• Common informer’s act (anyone can bring prosecution)
• Formal powers- police, Animal Health Plant Agency, Authority Officers
• RSPCA, charities - need owners consent to seize/ search premises or need to be accompanied by formal power
• Animal Health Plant Agency and Local Authority Farmed Animals

Question 12

What actions are enforcement powers able to take?

Answer 12

• seizure of animals involved in fighting
• searching premises under warrant/ arrest
• inspection in connection with licenses/ registration
• inspection of farmed premises
• prosecution

Question 13

What are the most common areas for prosecution?

Answer 13

Section 4 offences ‘unnecessary suffering’ and section 9 offences ‘duty of care’

Question 14

Describe the general requirements under the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations 2007

Answer 14

• staff = trained + competent
• frequent inspection
• bedding maintained/ dry, well drained lying area
• ill/ injured animals treated w/o delay
• mortality/ medicines records up to date
• 5 freedoms

Question 15

Describe the regulation requirements of calf castration under the mutilations permitted procedures act 2007

Answer 15

• calves over 2 months = anaesthetic, done by vet
• rubber rings first wk only
• calves under 2 mths = may be done by trained competent person w/ bloodless castrator

Question 16

Describe the regulation requirements of dehorning/ disbudding under the mutilations permitted procedures act 2007

Answer 16

• all require anaesthetic
• dehorning paste = less than 1 wk
• can be conducted by suitable trained person

Question 17

Describe the regulation requirements of sheep castration/ tail docking under the mutilations permitted procedures act 2007

Answer 17

• over 3 months = anaesthetic + vet

- rubber rings first wk only

Question 18

Describe the general provisions required under the Welfare of Animals Transport Order 2007

Answer 18

• animals have the be fit to travel
• journey kept to min. time, properly planned
• suitable loading/ unloading facilities
• 5 freedoms met during transport
• trained competent handlers
• certificate of competence of driver

Question 19

Describe the ‘fitness to travel’ requirements

Answer 19

• pregnant- not in last 10% of normal gestation
• lactating animals to be milked every 12 hours
• not young animals over 100km- pigs 3wks, lambs 1wk, calves 10 days