Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012

Regulation 4

SCHEDULE 6 Additional conditions that apply to the keeping of calves confined for rearing and fattening

Accommodation

1.—(1) A calf shall not be confined in an individual stall or pen after the age of eight weeks unless a veterinary surgeon certifies that its health or behaviour requires it to be isolated in order to receive treatment.

(2) The width of any individual stall or pen for a calf shall be at least equal to the height of the calf at the withers, measured in the standing position, and the length shall be at least equal to the body length of the calf, measured from the tip of the nose to the caudal edge of the tuber ischii (pin bone), multiplied by 1.1.

(3) Individual stalls or pens for calves (except for those isolating sick animals) shall have perforated walls, which allow calves to have direct visual and tactile contact.

(4) For calves kept in groups, the unobstructed space allowance available to each calf shall be—

(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 200kg; and

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

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

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

(7) Sub-paragraph (6) shall 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 being kept on a holding in order to determine whether sub-paragraph (6) applies, no account shall be taken of any calf that is being kept in isolation on that holding on veterinary advice, or in accordance with sub-paragraph (1).

Inspection

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

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

Tethering

4.—(1) A person responsible for a calf shall not 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 shall not cause pain or injury to the calves and shall be inspected regularly and adjusted as necessary to ensure a comfortable fit.

(3) Each tether shall be designed to avoid the risk of strangulation or pain or injury and allow the calf to lie down, rest, stand up 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 shall be provided for a period at least equivalent to the period of natural light normally available between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.

Cleansing and disinfection

6.—(1) Housing, stalls, pens, equipment and utensils used for calves shall 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 shall 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 shall—

(a) be smooth but not slippery;

(b) be so 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 shall be provided with appropriate bedding.

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

(3) All housed calves and calves kept in hutches or temporary structures shall 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 shall receive bovine colostrum as soon as possible after it is born and in any case within the first six hours of life.

Additional dietary requirements

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

(2) A minimum daily ration of fibrous food shall 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 100 g at 2 weeks old to a minimum of 250 g at 20 weeks old.

Muzzling

11.  Calves shall not be muzzled.

Feeding

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

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

Drinking water

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

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

(a) in hot weather conditions; or

(b) when they are ill.