The Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations revoke and replace with amendments:

• The Welfare of Livestock (Intensive Units) Regulations 1978 (S.I. 1978/1800);

• The Welfare of Battery Hens Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/2020);

• The Welfare of Calves Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/2021);

• The Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1445); and

• The Welfare of Pigs Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/1477);

and amend the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954.

They implement—

• the European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes of 10th March 1976 as read with the Protocol of Amendment to the European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes of 6th February 1992 (both available from HMSO, PO Box 276, London SW8 5DT);

• Council Directive 88/166/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens kept in battery cages (OJ No. L74, 19.3.88, p.83);

• Council Directive 91/629/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves (OJ No. L340, 11.12.91, p.28);

• Council Directive 91/630/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs (OJ No. L340, 11.12.91, p.33).

They make specific provision for the welfare of laying hens in battery cages, calves and pigs and general provision for other livestock, but do not apply in respect of bees or fish, including shellfish, crustaceans or molluscs.

Existing requirements applying to intensive systems are extended to all systems of animal husbandry in which animals are kept in such numbers or density or in such conditions that their health and welfare depend upon frequent human attention, so as to comply with the Council of Europe Convention on Animals kept for Farming Purposes as amended by the Protocol of Amendment of 6th February 1992.

In the case of laying hens in battery cages, the Regulations introduce amendments in relation to cage height requirements and make additional requirements in relation to testing alarms on automatic ventilation systems. Until 1st January 1995, the provisions in Schedule 1 of paragraph 1 (minimum cage requirements) shall not apply in relation to battery cages in use before 1st January 1988, provided the accommodation has not been reconstructed since that date.

In the case of calves, they regulate the area to which the calves must have access, although the provisions in Schedule 2 of paragraph 1(1) (minimum floor space for calves in groups) and 2(a) (requirement for individual stalls to have a perforated wall) do not apply until 1st January 2004 for accommodation in use before 1st January 1994.

In the case of pigs, they regulate the area to which pigs must have access, although the provisions in Part I, Schedule 3 of paragraph 1 (tethers) and 2 (stall dimensions) do not apply until 1st January 1999 to tethers and stalls in use before 1st October 1991 and the provisions in Part V, Schedule 3 of paragraph 2 (minimum floor area) do not apply until 1st January 1998 for accommodation in use before 1st January 1994. The use of sweat box systems for keeping pigs will be prohibited after 1st July 1995.

A Compliance Cost Assessment has been prepared and placed in the library of each House of Parliament.