Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 come into force

London, 4 June/GNN/ -- DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (Information Bulletin ref:172/08) issued by The Government News Network on 4 June 2008 The Mutilations (Permitt

The 2008 Regulations add new procedures to the list of permitted procedures.

The 2008 Regulations have the effect of:

* Allowing certain artificial insemination techniques in sheep and goats. These
are:

- Ovum transplantation, including ovum collection, by a surgical method

- Embryo collection or transfer by a surgical method

- Laparoscopic insemination for the purpose of breed improvement programmes

* Allowing the wing and web tagging of non-farmed birds for conservation
purposes (including education and captive breeding programmes) and for
research.

* Allowing the wing and web tagging of farmed birds involved in breed
improvement programmes and for identification for disease testing purposes.

* Allowing the neck tagging and web notching of farmed ducks involved in
breed improvement programmes.

Certain drafting changes have also been made in order to ensure compliance
with relevant EU Directives on the welfare of pigs and laying hens - these
amendments are not intended to affect current farming practice.

For more information, please see:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/act/docking.htm

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Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

2008-06-04 05:57:25 0376878 PRNEWSWIRE