United Kingdom Statutory Instruments

(a) may be cited as the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007;

(b) come into force on 1st October 2007; and

(c) apply in England only.

(a) in the case of laying hens, paragraph 1 of Schedule 5;

(b) in the case of calves, paragraph 2 or 3 of Schedule 6; and

(c) in the case of pigs, paragraph 2 of Schedule 8.

     3. Where animals are kept in a building, adequate lighting (whether fixed or portable) must be available to enable them to be thoroughly inspected at any time.

     4. Where any animals (other than poultry) are kept in a building they must be kept on, or have access at all times to, a lying area which either has well-maintained dry bedding or is well-drained.

     5. Any animals which appear to be ill or injured must be cared for appropriately and without delay; where they do not respond to such care, veterinary advice must be obtained as soon as possible.

     6. Where necessary, sick or injured animals must be isolated in suitable accommodation with, where appropriate, dry comfortable bedding.

Record keeping
     7. A record must be maintained of—

(a) any medicinal treatment given to animals; and

(b) the number of mortalities found on each inspection of animals carried out in accordance with any of the following provisions—


(i) in the case of laying hens, paragraph 1 of Schedule 5;

(ii) in the case of calves, paragraph 2 or 3 of Schedule 6; or

(iii) in the case of pigs, paragraph 2 of Schedule 8; or

(iv) in any other case, paragraph 2(1) or (2) of this Schedule.

     8. The record referred to in paragraph 7 must be retained for a period of at least three years from the date on which the medicinal treatment was given, or the date of the inspection, and must be made available to an inspector on request.

Freedom of movement
     9. The freedom of movement of animals, having regard to their species and in accordance with good practice and scientific knowledge, must not be restricted in such a way as to cause them unnecessary suffering or injury.

     10. Where animals are continuously or regularly tethered or confined, they must be given the space appropriate to their physiological and ethological needs in accordance with good practice and scientific knowledge.

Buildings and accommodation
     11. Materials used for the construction of accommodation, and in particular for the construction of pens, cages, stalls and equipment with which the animals may come into contact, must not be harmful to them and must be capable of being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

     12. Accommodation and fittings for securing animals must be constructed and maintained so that there are no sharp edges or protrusions likely to cause injury to them.

     13. Air circulation, dust levels, temperature, relative air humidity and gas concentrations must be kept within limits which are not harmful to the animals.

     14. Animals kept in buildings must not be kept in permanent darkness.

     15. Where the natural light available in a building is insufficient to meet the physiological or ethological needs of any animals being kept in it, appropriate artificial lighting must be provided.

     16. Animals kept in buildings must not be kept without an appropriate period of rest from artificial lighting.

Animals not kept in buildings
     17. Animals not kept in buildings must, where necessary and possible, be given protection from adverse weather conditions, predators and risks to their health and must, at all times, have access to a well-drained lying area.

Automatic or mechanical equipment
     18. All automated or mechanical equipment essential for the health and well-being of the animals must be inspected at least once a day to check that there is no defect in it.

     19. Where defects in automated or mechanical equipment of the type referred to in paragraph 18 are discovered, these must be rectified immediately or, if this is impossible, appropriate steps must be taken to safeguard the health and well-being of the animals pending the rectification of those defects including the use of alternative methods of feeding and watering and methods of providing and maintaining a satisfactory environment.

     20. Where the health and well-being of the animals is dependent on an artificial ventilation system—

(a) provision must be made for an appropriate back-up system to guarantee sufficient air renewal to preserve the health and well-being of the animals in the event of failure of the system; and

(b) an alarm system (which will operate even if the principal electricity supply to it has failed) must be provided to give warning of any failure of the system.

(a) linear feeders providing at least 10cm per bird or circular feeders providing at least 4cm per bird;

(b) continuous drinking troughs providing at least 2.5 cm per hen or circular drinking troughs providing at least 1 cm per hen;

(c) at least one nest for every seven hens and, if group nests are used, there must be at least 1 m² of nest space for a maximum of 120 hens;

(d) perches without sharp edges and providing at least 15 cm per hen, which must not be mounted above the litter, and the horizontal distance between perches must be at least 30 cm and the horizontal distance between the perch and the wall must be at least 20 cm; and

(e) at least 250 cm² of littered area per hen, the litter occupying at least one third of the ground surface.

     3. Where a system is equipped with nipple drinkers or cups, there must be at least one nipple drinker or cup for every 10 hens.

     4. Where a system has drinking points plumbed in, at least two cups or two nipple drinkers must be within reach of each hen.

     5. The floors of installations must be constructed so as to support each of the forward-facing claws of each bird's foot.

     6. If systems are used where the laying hens can move freely between different levels—

(a) there must be no more than four levels;

(b) the headroom between the levels must be at least 45 cm;

(c) the drinking and feeding facilities must be distributed in such a way as to provide equal access for all hens; and

(d) the levels must be so arranged as to prevent droppings falling on the levels below.

     7. If laying hens have access to open runs —

(a) there must be several popholes giving direct access to the outer area, at least 35 cm high and 40 cm wide, and extending along the entire length of the building; and in any case, a total opening of 2 m must be available per group of 1,000 hens; and

(b) the open runs must be—


(i) of an area appropriate to the stocking density and to the nature of the ground, in order to prevent any contamination; and

(ii) equipped with shelter from adverse weather conditions and predators and, if necessary, drinking troughs.

     8. Subject to paragraph (9), the stocking density must not exceed nine laying hens per m² of usable area.

     9. Where on 3rd August 1999 the establishment applied a system where the usable area corresponded to the available ground surface, and the establishment was still applying this system on 25th June 2002, a stocking density of not more than 12 hens per m² is authorised until 31st December 2011.

(a) at least 750 cm² of cage area per hen, 600 cm² of which must be usable; the height of the cage other than that above the usable area must be at least 20 cm at every point and the minimum total area for any cage must be 2000 cm²;

(b) access to a nest;

(c) litter such that pecking and scratching are possible; and

(d) appropriate perches allowing at least 15 cm per hen.

     3. A feed trough which can be used without restriction must be provided, the length of which must be at least 12 cm multiplied by the number of hens in the cage.

     4. Each cage must have a drinking system appropriate to the size of the group; where nipple drinkers are provided, at least two nipple drinkers or two cups must be within reach of each hen.

     5. To facilitate inspection, installation and depopulation of hens there must be a minimum aisle width of 90 cm between tiers of cages and a space of at least 35 cm must be allowed between the floor of the building and the bottom tier of cages.

     6. Cages must be fitted with suitable claw-shortening devices.

(a) the sound level must be minimised;

(b) constant or sudden noise must be avoided; and

(c) ventilation fans, feeding machinery and other equipment must be constructed, placed, operated and maintained in such a way that they cause the least possible noise.

     3. —(1) All buildings must have light levels sufficient to allow hens to see other hens and be seen clearly, to investigate their surroundings visually and to show normal levels of activity.

    (2) Where there is natural light, light apertures must be arranged in such a way that light is distributed evenly within the accommodation.

    (3) After the first days of conditioning, the lighting regime must be such as to prevent health and behavioural problems and accordingly it must follow a 24-hour rhythm and include an adequate uninterrupted period of darkness lasting, by way of indication, about one third of the day.

    (4) A period of twilight of sufficient duration should if possible be provided when the light is dimmed so that the hens may settle down without disturbance or injury.

     4. —(1) Those parts of buildings, equipment or utensils which are in contact with the hens must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected regularly and, in any case, every time depopulation is carried out and before a new batch of hens is brought in.

    (2) While the cages are occupied—

(a) the surfaces and all equipment must be kept satisfactorily clean;

(b) droppings must be removed; and

(c) dead hens must be removed every day.

     5. Cages must be suitably equipped to prevent hens escaping.

     6. Accommodation comprising two or more tiers of cages must have devices, or appropriate measures must be taken, to allow inspection of all tiers without difficulty and to facilitate the removal of hens.

     7. The design and dimensions of the cage door must be such that an adult hen can be removed without undergoing unnecessary suffering or sustaining injury.

(a) at least 1.5 m² for each calf with a live weight of less than 150 kg;

(b) at least 2 m² for each calf with a live weight of 150 kg or more but less than 200 kg; and

(c) at least 3 m² for each calf with a live weight of 200 kg or more.

    (5) Each calf must be able to stand up, lie down, turn around, rest and groom itself without hindrance.

    (6) Each calf that is kept on a holding on which two or more calves are kept, must be able to see at least one other calf.

    (7) Sub-paragraph (6) does not apply to any calf that is kept in isolation on a holding on veterinary advice or in accordance with sub-paragraph (1).

    (8) For the purpose of calculating the number of calves kept on a holding in order to determine whether sub-paragraph (6) applies, no account may be taken of any calf that is being kept in isolation on veterinary advice or in accordance with sub-paragraph (1).

Inspection
     2. All housed calves must be inspected by the owner or other person responsible for the calves at least twice a day to check that they are in a state of well-being.

     3. Calves which are kept outside must be inspected by the owner or other person responsible for the calves at least once a day to check that they are in a state of well-being.

Tethering
     4. —(1) No person responsible for a calf may tether it or cause it to be tethered, with the exception of group-housed calves which may be tethered for a period of not more than one hour when being fed milk or milk substitute.

    (2) Where tethers are used in accordance with sub-paragraph (1), the tether must not cause pain or injury to the calves and must be inspected regularly and adjusted as necessary to ensure a comfortable fit.

    (3) Each tether must be designed to avoid the risk of strangulation, pain or injury and allow the calf to stand up, lie down, rest and groom itself without hindrance.

Artificially lit buildings
     5. Where calves are kept in an artificially lit building then, subject to paragraph 16 of Schedule 1, artificial lighting must be provided for a period at least equivalent to the period of natural light normally available between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm.

Cleaning and disinfection
     6. —(1) Housing, stalls, pens, equipment and utensils used for calves must be properly cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to prevent cross-infection and the build-up of disease-carrying organisms.

    (2) Faeces, urine and uneaten or spilt food must be removed as often as necessary to minimise smell and to avoid attracting flies or rodents.

Floors
     7. Where calves are kept in a building, floors must—

(a) be smooth but not slippery;

(b) be designed, constructed and maintained so as not to cause injury or suffering to calves standing or lying on them;

(c) be suitable for the size and weight of the calves; and

(d) form a rigid, even and stable surface.

Bedding and lying area
     8. —(1) All calves must be provided with appropriate bedding.

    (2) All calves must be kept on, or at all times have access to, a lying area which is clean, comfortable and adequately drained and which does not adversely affect the calves.

    (3) All housed calves and calves kept in hutches or temporary structures must be kept on, or at all times have access to, a lying area which is well-maintained with dry bedding.

Bovine colostrum
     9. Each calf must receive bovine colostrum as soon as possible after it is born and, in any event, within the first six hours of life.

Additional dietary requirements
     10. —(1) All calves must be provided with food which contains sufficient iron to ensure a blood haemoglobin level of at least 4.5 mmol/litre.

    (2) A minimum daily ration of fibrous food must be provided for each calf over 2 weeks old, the quantity being raised in line with the growth of the calf from a minimum of 100g at 2 weeks old, to a minimum of 250g at 20 weeks old.

Muzzling
     11. Calves must not be muzzled.

Feeding
     12. —(1) All calves must be fed at least twice a day.

    (2) Where calves are housed in a group and do not have continuous access to food, or are not fed by an automatic feeding system, each calf must have access to food at the same time as the others in the feeding group.

Drinking water
     13. —(1) All calves must be provided with a sufficient quantity of fresh drinking water each day.

    (2) Calves must be provided with fresh drinking water at all times—

(a) in hot weather conditions; or

(b) when they are ill.

"boar" means a male pig after puberty, intended for breeding;

"gilt" means a female pig intended for breeding after puberty and before farrowing;

"piglet" means a pig from birth to weaning;

"rearing pig" means a pig from the age of ten weeks to slaughter or service;

"sow" means a female pig after the first farrowing;

"weaner" means a pig from weaning to the age of ten weeks.

(a) stand up, lie down and rest without difficulty;

(b) have a clean, comfortable and adequately drained place in which it can rest;

(c) see other pigs, except—


(i) where the pig is isolated for veterinary reasons; or

(ii) in the week before the expected farrowing time and during farrowing, when sows and gilts may be kept out of sight of other pigs;



(d) maintain a comfortable temperature; and

(e) have enough space to allow all the animals to lie down at the same time.

     6. —(1) The dimensions of any stall or pen used for holding individual pigs must be such that the internal area is not less than the square of the length of the pig, and no internal side is less than 75% of the length of the pig, the length of the pig in each case being measured from the tip of its snout to the base of its tail while it is standing with its back straight.

    (2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to a female pig for the period beginning with seven days before the predicted day of her farrowing and ending when the weaning of her piglets (including any piglets fostered by her) is complete.

    (3) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to a pig held in a stall or pen—

(a) while it is undergoing any examination, test, treatment or operation carried out for veterinary purposes;

(b) for the purposes of service, artificial insemination or collection of semen;

(c) while it is fed on any particular occasion;

(d) for the purposes of marking, washing or weighing it;

(e) while its accommodation is being cleaned; or

(f) while it is awaiting loading for transportation,

provided that the period during which it is so kept is not longer than necessary for that purpose.

    (4) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to a pig held in a stall or pen which the pig can enter or leave at will, provided that the stall or pen is entered from a stall or pen in which the pig is kept without contravention of this paragraph.

Artificially lit buildings
     7. Where pigs are kept in an artificially lit building, lighting with an intensity of at least 40 lux must be provided for a minimum period of 8 hours per day subject to paragraph 16 of Schedule 1.

Prevention of fighting
     8. —(1) If pigs are kept together, measures must be taken to prevent fighting which goes beyond normal behaviour.

    (2) Pigs which show persistent aggression towards others or are victims of such aggression must be separated from the group.

Cleaning and disinfection
     9. —(1) Housing, pens, equipment and utensils used for pigs must be properly cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to prevent cross-infection and build-up of disease-carrying organisms.

    (2) Faeces, urine and uneaten or spilt food must be removed as often as necessary to minimise smell and to avoid attracting flies or rodents.

Bedding
     10. Where bedding is provided, it must be clean, dry and not harmful to the pigs.

Floors
     11. Where pigs are kept in a building, floors must—

(a) be smooth but not slippery;

(b) be designed, constructed and maintained so as not to cause injury or suffering to pigs standing or lying on them;

(c) be suitable for the size and weight of the pigs; and

(d) where no litter is provided, form a rigid, even and stable surface.

     12. —(1) Where concrete slatted floors are used for pigs kept in groups, the maximum width of the openings must be—

(a) 11 mm for piglets;

(b) 14 mm for weaners;

(c) 18 mm for rearing pigs; and

(d) 20 mm for gilts after service and sows.

    (2) The minimum slat width must be—

(a) 50 mm for piglets and weaners; and

(b) 80 mm for rearing pigs, gilts after service and sows.

Feeding
     13. —(1) All pigs must be fed at least once a day.

    (2) Where pigs are housed in a group and do not have continuous access to feed, or are not fed by an automatic feeding system feeding the animals individually, each pig must have access to the food at the same time as the others in the feeding group.

Drinking water
     14. All pigs over two weeks of age must have continuous access to a sufficient quantity of fresh drinking water.

Environmental enrichment
     15. To enable proper investigation and manipulation activities, all pigs must have permanent access to a sufficient quantity of material such as straw, hay, wood, sawdust, mushroom compost, peat or a mixture of such which does not adversely affect the health of the animals.

Prohibition on the use of the sweat-box system
     16. Pigs must not be kept in an environment which involves maintaining high temperatures and high humidity (known as the "sweat-box system").

Noise levels
     17. Pigs must not be exposed to constant or sudden noise.

     18. Noise levels above 85 dBA must be avoided in that part of any building where pigs are kept.

(a) emptied and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before the introduction of a new group; and

(b) separate from housing where other sows are kept.

(a) this must if possible be done before weaning or up to one week after weaning, or otherwise when the pigs are as young as possible; and

(b) they must be provided with adequate opportunities to escape and hide from other pigs.

     41. The use of tranquilising medication in order to facilitate mixing must be limited to exceptional conditions and only after consultation with a veterinary surgeon.

     42. If there are signs of severe fighting, the causes must be immediately investigated and appropriate measures taken.

     43. The unobstructed floor area available to each weaner or rearing pig reared in a group must be at least—

(a) 0.15 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is 10 kg or less;

(b) 0.20 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is more than 10 kg, but less than or equal to 20 kg;

(c) 0.30 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is more than 20 kg but less than or equal to 30 kg;

(d) 0.40 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is more than 30 kg but less than or equal to 50 kg;

(e) 0.55 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is more than 50 kg but less than or equal to 85 kg;

(f) 0.65 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is more than 85 kg but less than or equal to 110 kg; and

(g) 1.00 m² for each pig where the average weight of the pigs in the group is more than 110 kg.

(a) of sufficient size to allow the rabbits to move around and to feed and drink without difficulty and to allow them all to lie on their sides at the same time; and

(b) of sufficient height to allow the rabbits to sit upright on all four feet without their ears touching the top of the hutch or cage.

     2. Where rabbits are kept in accommodation which is exposed to the weather, suitable steps must be taken so as to ensure that the rabbits have access to shelter from the weather, including direct sunlight.