The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007

Regulation 5

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

Accommodation

1.—(1) No calf may 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 must be at least equal to the height of the calf at the withers, measured in the standing position, and the length must 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 ishii (pin bones), multiplied by 1.1.

(3) Individual stalls or pens for calves (except for those isolating sick animals) must 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 must 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 200 kg; and

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

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

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

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

Inspection

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

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

Tethering

4.—(1) No person responsible for a calf may 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 must not cause pain or injury to the calves and must be inspected regularly and adjusted as necessary to ensure a comfortable fit.

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

Cleaning and disinfection

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

(a)be smooth but not slippery;

(b)be 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 must be provided with appropriate bedding.

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

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

Additional dietary requirements

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

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

Muzzling

11.  Calves must not be muzzled.

Feeding

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

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

Drinking water

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

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

(a)in hot weather conditions; or

(b)when they are ill.