Any future change in policy would be implemented on a UK-wide basis.
Routine castration and tail docking is carried out within the sheep sector for range of reasons; to ease management, prevent unwanted pregnancies and fly strike, a significant welfare issue. Defra, however, believes these painful procedures should be reduced.
Have your say
The NFU is urging members to respond to Defra's consultation on changes to castration and tail docking legislation and has created a replica of the survey to aid members in having their say.
NFU members can complete the survey on NFUonline, which will then be submitted to Defra as individual responses. Learn more about the NFU's survey, or complete the survey.
The deadline for responses is 5 March 2026.
NFU members can also read the NFU Livestock Board's position on each of Defra's proposals.
NFU position
Responding to the proposals, NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton said: “These proposals will be of concern for sheep producers right across the UK. We carry out these essential management tasks for many reasons to protect the welfare of the animal and to ensure we can continue to sell lamb throughout the year.
“In a survey of our members two years ago, 87% of respondents said they use rubber rings to routinely castrate lambs and 93% to routinely tail dock lambs. 82% said the welfare of the lamb over its full lifetime would be negatively impacted if they could not castrate or tail dock.
“The industry must have these tools available and, while I’m open to the use of pain relief, we don’t currently have a licenced product for young lambs. Injecting young lambs risks introducing diseases and will be adding yet another task in sometimes difficult working environments.
“This proposal while well-meaning could actually be detrimental to animal welfare.”
NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton
“We must also consider the added cost to the supply chain, making the UK less competitive when compared to those that import thousands of tonnes of lamb into the UK each year. Our survey also found that 77% of respondents said if they could not castrate or tail dock lambs it would lead to a reduction in business profitability. 91% said they would need to increase the segregation of stock, 89% said it would result in unwanted pregnancies, and 75% said it would increase management and labour costs. 97% said the impact of not tail docking lambs would lead to an increased risk of fly strike and would require greater use of preventative medication and dipping.
“I’m proud that the UK already produces lamb to some of the highest standards in the world. This proposal, while well-meaning, could actually be detrimental to animal welfare, will reduce our ability to compete, damage confidence even further and impact potential for growth in a sector that has a strong future supplying quality lamb for the domestic and export market.”