Part 9Sheep

Part 9—Sheep 73—Interpretation intensive sheep production system means the intensive management of sheep for the purposes of production whereby the sheep are kept in a yard or other enclosure (whether indoors or outdoors) containing feeding and watering facilities by which the sheep are completely hand or mechanically fed and watered, but does not include the keeping of sheep in such manner on a short term basis— (a) for the purpose of weaning, dipping or other husbandry procedure; or (b) for the purposes of drought or other emergency feeding; or (c) at a sale yard or abattoir; pizzle dropping means the alteration of the anatomy of the prepuce of a sheep by incising the surrounding skin. (2) This Part is in addition to and does not derogate from the operation of— (a) the Agricultural and Veterinary Products (Control of Use) Act 2002; or (b) the Livestock Act 1997; or (c) the Veterinary Practice Act 2003. 74—General requirements (1) A person who has the care, control and management of a sheep must take reasonable steps to minimise the risk of harm to the sheep from extreme weather conditions, disease and injury. (2) A person who has the care, control and management of a sheep must ensure that the sheep is inspected to assess its health and well‑being, at such intervals and in such manner as is reasonable in the circumstances, having regard to the following: (a) the stocking density of the sheep; (b) the availability of suitable feed; (c) the reliability of water supply; (d) the age of the sheep; (e) the pregnancy status of the sheep; (f) the climatic conditions; (g) any other factors that are relevant in the circumstances. (3) A person who has the care, control and management of a sheep (other than a sheep that is self-shedding) must take reasonable steps to ensure that the sheep is sheared at least once every 2 years. (4) A person who has the care, control and management of a sheep must, if the sheep is tethered, ensure that it is given reasonable opportunity to exercise at least once every day. (5) A person must not— (a) trim or grind the teeth of a sheep; or (b) carry out pizzle dropping on a sheep. 75—Facilities and equipment A person who owns a sheep must ensure that any buildings, yards, enclosures, paddocks, ramps and other facilities and equipment used in the handling and keeping of the sheep are suitable for the purpose, appropriately maintained and operated or used in such a manner, so as to minimise the risk of injury to the sheep. 76—Use of dogs A person may only use a dog to assist in the control, handling or movement of a sheep if— (a) the dog is under effective control at all times; and (b) in the case of a dog that has a history of biting humans or animals—the dog is wearing a muzzle. 77—Tail docking (1) A person who has the care, control and management of a sheep that is 6 months of age or older must ensure that tail docking is not carried out on the sheep unless— (a) it is given a suitable analgesic or is anaesthetised; and (b) it is provided with appropriate treatment to control haemorrhaging following the procedure. (2) A person who docks the tail of a sheep must leave a tail stump with at least 1 palpable free joint. 78—Castration (1) A person who has the care, control and management of a sheep that is 6 months of age or older must ensure that castration is not carried out on the sheep unless— (a) it is given a suitable analgesic or is anaesthetised; and (b) it is provided with appropriate treatment to control haemorrhaging following the procedure. (2) In this regulation— castration includes causing infertility by use of the cryptorchid method. 79—Mulesing (1) A person must not carry out the Mules operation on a sheep that is less than 24 hours old or more than 12 months of age. (2) A person carrying out the Mules operation on a sheep must not remove any skin from the sheep unless it is wool-bearing skin. (3) A person who has the care, control and management of a sheep must ensure that the Mules operation is not carried out on the sheep unless— (a) it has good body condition; and (b) if the sheep is over 6 months of age—it is given a suitable analgesic or is anaesthetised. 80—Artificial breeding procedures A person must not carry out laparoscopic insemination or the surgical transfer of an embryo on a sheep unless the person is a veterinary surgeon or is acting under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon. 81—Intensive sheep production systems A person who has the care, control and management of sheep kept in an intensive sheep production system must ensure— (a) that the sheep are inspected at least once a day to assess the health and well-being of the sheep; and (b) that the sheep are provided with adequate feed each day containing sufficient nutrients to ensure the good health and vitality of the sheep; and (c) that the sheep are given sufficient access to water each day to ensure the good health and vitality of the sheep; and (d) in the case of sheep kept in indoor housing—that there is adequate ventilation to ensure the health and well-being of the sheep; and (e) that all the sheep kept in a yard or other enclosure have sufficient space to lie down on their sternums; and (f) that no sheep is kept in a single pen on a permanent basis.