Ageing sheep at slaughter: introducing a new method
Seeking views on a proposal to introduce a new method for determining the ages of sheep at slaughter.
Detail
We want your views on plans to amend English and Welsh legislation on ageing sheep at slaughter. Sheep over 12 months old must have certain body parts removed to protect public health.
The changes would allow abattoirs to use a different method for deciding the ages of sheep. At present abattoirs count the number of a sheep’s permanent teeth to decide its age.
Under our proposal, they would also have the option of a system based on the date. Sheep sent for slaughter up to 30 June in the year after their birth would be treated as being under 12 months old.