preface
This preface is not part of the Code but is intended to explain its purpose and to indicate the broad considerations upon which it is based. Similarly, the legislation quoted in boxes throughout the document is not part of the Code but is intended to highlight some of the legal requirements. The law, as quoted in these boxes, is that in force either on the date of publication or reprinting of the Code (please turn to the back cover for this information). Readers should be aware that any of the legal requirements quoted might be subject to change - they should seek confirmation before assuming that these are an accurate statement of the law currently in force.
Regulation 10 of the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (S.S.I. 2000 No. 442) provides that: Any person who employs or engages a person to attend to animals must ensure that the person attending to the animals: - is acquainted with the provisions of all relevant statutory welfare codes relating to the animals being attended to;
- has access to a copy of those codes while that person is attending to the animals; and
- has received instruction and guidance on those Codes.
Any person who keeps animals, or who causes or knowingly permits animals to be kept, must not attend to them unless he has access to all relevant statutory welfare codes relating to the animals while he is attending to them, and is acquainted with the provisions of those codes. In Regulation 2 it states that "statutory welfare code" means a code for the time being issued under Section 3 of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968. |
To cause any animal unnecessary suffering is an offence under Section 19 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. The breach of a code provision, whilst not an offence in itself, can nevertheless be used in evidence as tending to establish the guilt of anyone accused of causing unnecessary pain or distress under the Act (Section 37(9)). |
Regulation 3(1) of the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (S.S.I. 2000 No.442) states that owners and keepers of animals must take all reasonable steps: - to ensure the welfare of the animals under their care; and
- to ensure that the animals are not caused any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury.
Regulation 3(3) of the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (S.S.I. 2000 No. 442) states that: In deciding whether the conditions under which animals are being bred and kept comply with the requirements set out in Schedule 1 the owner and keeper of the animals must have regard to their species, and to their degree of development, adaptation and domestication, and to their physiological and ethological needs in accordance with established experience and scientific knowledge. Regulation 11 of the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (S.S.I. 2000 No. 442) states that: Where an authorised person considers that animals are being kept in a way which is likely to cause unnecessary pain, suffering or injury, or in any way in contravention of any provision of these Regulations, the authorised person may serve a notice on whoever appears to be in charge of the animals requiring the person appearing to be in charge, within the period stated in the notice, to take any action that the authorised person considers to be reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with these Regulations and the authorised person shall give his reasons for requiring that action to be taken. Regulation 13 (2) of the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (S.S.I. 2000 No. 442) states that: In any proceedings against an owner or keeper for a failure to comply with Regulation 3(1) or 3(2) (as read with regulation 3(3)) the owner or keeper, as the case may be, may rely on compliance with any relevant recommendation contained in a statutory welfare code, as tending to establish his compliance with the relevant Regulation. |
The Code is intended to encourage all those who care for farm animals to adopt the highest standards of husbandry. Without good stockmanship, animal welfare can never be adequately protected. Adherence to these recommendations will help flock-keepers to reach the required standard.
The welfare of laying hens is considered within a framework, elaborated by the Farm Animal Welfare Council, and known as the 'Five Freedoms'. These form a logical basis for the assessment of welfare within any system together with the actions necessary to safeguard welfare within the constraints of an efficient livestock industry.
The Five Freedoms are:
1 Freedom from hunger and thirst - by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour;
2 Freedom from discomfort - by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area;
3 Freedom from pain injury or disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment;
4 Freedom to express normal behaviour - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animals' own kind;
5Freedom from fear and distress - by ensuring conditions and treatment to avoid mental suffering.
In acknowledging these freedoms, those who have care of livestock should practise:
- caring and responsible planning and management;
- skilled, knowledgeable and conscientious stockmanship;
- appropriate environmental design (e.g. of the husbandry system);
- considerate handling and transport; and
- humane slaughter.
Part 2 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 contains the general law relating to animal welfare. Broadly it is an offence (under section 19 of the Act) to be cruel to any domestic or captive animal by anything that is done or omitted to be done, and an offence (under section 24) to fail to take steps to ensure that the needs of an animal are met. Section 32 of the Act empowers an inspector or a police constable to take possession of an animal which is considered to be suffering or in danger of suffering. Section 34 gives the courts the power to make a disposal order for seized animals which can allow these animals to be sold, destroyed or disposed of in another manner. The reasonable costs involved, including veterinary treatment can be recovered from any proceeds from the sale of the animal. A disposal order can be made before a charge under the Act has been brought. Under section 40 of the Act a court has the power to disqualify a person convicted under the Act from owning, keeping, dealing in, transporting, taking possession or taking charge of animals. The ban can specify a particular kind of animal or all animals for such a period as the court thinks fit. |
This Code applies in Scotland only and has been issued by the Scottish Ministers (following approval in draft by the Scottish Parliament). It replaces (also as regards Scotland only) that part of the existing Domestic Fowls Code (issued in 1987), relating to the welfare of laying hens.
Similar Codes have been produced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland