Afhorning: the law by country
Where it is banned, allowed only under conditions or permitted. Each rule names its law and links to the source.
- Kun af dyrlæge: 3 places
- Begrænset: 12 places
- Tilladt: 2 places
Australien
Whole country
Ikke lov i sig selv; hver stat bestemmer. Standarder: kyndig udfører; smertelindring, medmindre dyret er under 6 måneder eller under 12 måneder ved første indsamling i fold, hvor jurisdiktionen godkender den alder.
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Not law by itself; each state decides. Standards: skilled operator; pain relief unless under 6 months old, or under 12 months at first yarding where the jurisdiction approves that age.
Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle (endorsed January 2016), S6.1, S6.4, S6.6Checked 4. nov. 2026
Queensland
Obligatorisk kodeks ifølge den nationale standardiseringsorganisation. Vi har læst den nationale tekst, ikke forskriften: kyndig udfører; smertelindring, medmindre dyret er under 6 måneder eller under 12 måneder ved første indsamling i fold, hvor det er godkendt.
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Mandatory code per the national standards body. We read the national text, not the regulation: skilled operator; pain relief unless under 6 months old, or under 12 months at first yarding where approved.
Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2012 (Qld), national Cattle Standards as a code of practiceIn force since 1. jul. 2021Checked 4. nov. 2026
South Australia
Fra 6 måneders alderen kræves et smertestillende middel eller bedøvelse, undtagen ved første indsamling i fold af et dyr under 12 måneder, som ikke har været i fold før 6 måneder. Animal Welfare Act 2025 (SA), som ikke var i kraft den 2026-11-04, ophæver disse forskrifter, når den træder i kraft.
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From 6 months old needs an analgesic or anaesthetic, except at first yarding of an animal under 12 months not yarded before 6 months. The Animal Welfare Act 2025 (SA), not in operation on 2026-11-04, will repeal these regulations when it starts.
Animal Welfare Regulations 2012 (SA), r 68(1), (2)In force since 15. apr. 2017Checked 4. nov. 2026
Canada
Whole country
National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice: en brancherettet kodeks, ikke en lov. NFACC siger, at kodeksens krav i de fleste provinser ikke udtrykkeligt er bindende, men kan være bevis for lidelse. Omtalt i provinsernes lovgivning: vedtaget i NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 gør en praksis, som en kodeks forbyder, til en forbudt praksis), foreskrevet i SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), nævnt som forsvar i NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) og BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, som almindeligt accepteret praksis), accepteret i NS (Act s.28(b)). Kun hvis nødvendigt for gedens sundhed og velfærd, af en dyrlæge med sedering eller bedøvelse og smertestillende behandling.
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National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice: an industry code, not a statute. NFACC says Code requirements are not explicitly binding in most provinces but can be evidence of distress. Referred to in provincial law: adopted in NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 makes a practice a code prohibits a prohibited one), prescribed in SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), named as a defence in NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) and BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, as generally accepted practice), accepted in NS (Act s.28(b)). Only if necessary for the goat's health and welfare, by a veterinarian with sedation or anesthesia and analgesia.
NFACC Code of Practice: Goats (2022), s.5.9 (industry code, not a statute)Checked 4. nov. 2026
National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice: en brancherettet kodeks, ikke en lov. NFACC siger, at kodeksens krav i de fleste provinser ikke udtrykkeligt er bindende, men kan være bevis for lidelse. Omtalt i provinsernes lovgivning: vedtaget i NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 gør en praksis, som en kodeks forbyder, til en forbudt praksis), foreskrevet i SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), nævnt som forsvar i NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) og BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, som almindeligt accepteret praksis), accepteret i NS (Act s.28(b)). Om nødvendigt af en autoriseret dyrlæge med bedøvelse og perioperativ smertestillende behandling.
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National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice: an industry code, not a statute. NFACC says Code requirements are not explicitly binding in most provinces but can be evidence of distress. Referred to in provincial law: adopted in NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 makes a practice a code prohibits a prohibited one), prescribed in SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), named as a defence in NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) and BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, as generally accepted practice), accepted in NS (Act s.28(b)). If necessary, by a licensed veterinarian with anesthesia and perioperative analgesia.
NFACC Code of Practice: Sheep (2013), s.5.9 (industry code, not a statute)Checked 4. nov. 2026
National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice: en brancherettet kodeks, ikke en lov. NFACC siger, at kodeksens krav i de fleste provinser ikke udtrykkeligt er bindende, men kan være bevis for lidelse. Omtalt i provinsernes lovgivning: vedtaget i NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 gør en praksis, som en kodeks forbyder, til en forbudt praksis), foreskrevet i SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), nævnt som forsvar i NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) og BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, som almindeligt accepteret praksis), accepteret i NS (Act s.28(b)). Mælkekvæg: efter 2 måneder kun undtagelsesvis, med bedøvelse og smertestillende behandling, ingen gummibånd. Kødkvæg: kompetent personale; smertekontrol efter hornanlæggets fæstning siden 2016-01-01.
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National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice: an industry code, not a statute. NFACC says Code requirements are not explicitly binding in most provinces but can be evidence of distress. Referred to in provincial law: adopted in NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 makes a practice a code prohibits a prohibited one), prescribed in SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), named as a defence in NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) and BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, as generally accepted practice), accepted in NS (Act s.28(b)). Dairy: past 2 months only exceptionally, with anesthesia and analgesia, no banding. Beef: competent personnel; pain control after bud attachment since 2016-01-01.
NFACC Code of Practice: Dairy Cattle (2023), s.4.2.2; Beef Cattle (2013), s.4.4 (industry codes, not statutes)Checked 4. nov. 2026
Danmark
Whole country
Under bedøvelse med langvarig smertelindring, af en dyrlæge; ætsende midler, gummibånd og elastratorer er forbudt.
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Under anaesthetic with prolonged pain relief, by a vet; caustics, rubber bands and elastrators banned.
Bekendtgørelse nr. 631 af 31. maj 2023, ss.7-8In force since 1. jul. 2023Checked 4. nov. 2026
Under bedøvelse med langvarig smertelindring, af en dyrlæge; ætsende midler, gummibånd og elastratorer er forbudt.
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Under anaesthetic with prolonged pain relief, by a vet; caustics, rubber bands and elastrators banned.
Bekendtgørelse nr. 631 af 31. maj 2023, ss.7-8In force since 1. jul. 2023Checked 4. nov. 2026
Estland
Whole country
Skal udføres, før kalven er 2 måneder gammel; ikke rutine hos voksent kvæg; kemikalier anbefales ikke. Myndighedens side angiver ingen paragrafnumre; selve loven kunne ikke åbnes (Riigi Teataja kræver en browser med scripts aktiveret), så kontrollér den gældende ordlyd.
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To be done before the calf is 2 months old; not routine in adult bovines; chemicals not recommended. The agency page cites no section numbers; the statute itself could not be opened (Riigi Teataja needs a script-enabled browser), so check the current wording.
Animal Protection Act (Loomakaitseseadus), as stated by the Agriculture and Food Board (PTA)Checked 4. nov. 2026
Irland
Whole country
Geder over 8 dage, af en dyrlæge.
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Goats over 8 days, by a veterinary practitioner.
Animal Health and Welfare (Operations and Procedures) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 127/2014), Schedule, Part 4In force since 6. mar. 2014Checked 4. nov. 2026
Af en praktiserende dyrlæge.
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By a veterinary practitioner.
Animal Health and Welfare (Operations and Procedures) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 127/2014), Schedule, Part 3In force since 6. mar. 2014Checked 4. nov. 2026
Af en praktiserende dyrlæge.
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By a veterinary practitioner.
Animal Health and Welfare (Operations and Procedures) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 127/2014), Schedule, Part 1In force since 6. mar. 2014Checked 4. nov. 2026
Nederlandene
Whole country
Geder holdt til mælkeproduktion eller på børnebondegårde.
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Goats kept for milk production or on petting farms.
Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.5Checked 4. nov. 2026
Udpeget indgreb.
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Designated intervention.
Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.5Checked 4. nov. 2026
Udpeget indgreb.
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Designated intervention.
Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.4Checked 4. nov. 2026
New Zealand
Whole country
Geden skal gives smertelindring godkendt af en dyrlæge. Udføreren skal være uddannet eller erfaren.
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The goat must be given pain relief authorised by a veterinarian. The operator must be trained or experienced.
Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018, r 58AIn force since 9. maj 2021Checked 4. nov. 2026
Dyret skal under hele indgrebet have smertelindring godkendt af en dyrlæge. Udføreren skal være uddannet eller erfaren.
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Throughout the procedure the animal must be under pain relief authorised by a veterinarian. The operator must be trained or experienced.
Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018, r 58BIn force since 9. maj 2021Checked 4. nov. 2026
Dyret skal under hele indgrebet have smertelindring godkendt af en dyrlæge. Udføreren skal være uddannet eller erfaren og i stand til at genkende lidelse.
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Throughout the procedure the animal must be under pain relief authorised by a veterinarian. The operator must be trained or experienced and able to recognise distress.
Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018, r 58In force since 1. okt. 2019Checked 4. nov. 2026
Storbritannien
England
Der skal indgives bedøvelse.
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An anaesthetic must be administered.
SI 2007/1100, Sch. 1 and Sch. 2In force since 6. apr. 2007Checked 4. nov. 2026
Northern Ireland
Der skal gives bedøvelse.
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An anaesthetic must be given.
Welfare of Animals (Permitted Procedures by Lay Persons) Regulations (NI) 2012 (S.R. 2012/153), Sch. 1In force since 2. apr. 2012Checked 4. nov. 2026
Scotland
Undtaget af hensyn til håndterens sikkerhed eller besætningens velfærd; disse forskrifter angiver ingen betingelse.
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Exempted for handler safety or herd welfare; these Regulations list no condition.
SSI 2010/387, Sch. 1In force since 5. nov. 2010Checked 4. nov. 2026
Wales
Der skal indgives bedøvelse.
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An anaesthetic must be administered.
WSI 2007/1029, Sch. 2In force since 28. mar. 2007Checked 4. nov. 2026
Sverige
Whole country
Tilladt uden veterinære grunde; af en dyrlæge, andet dyresundhedspersonale eller en person, som dyrlægen finder egnet.
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Allowed without veterinary reasons; by a vet, other animal health staff, or someone the vet finds suitable.
Djurskyddsförordning (2019:66), ch. 4 s.1Checked 4. nov. 2026
Tilladt uden veterinære grunde; af en dyrlæge, andet dyresundhedspersonale eller en person, som dyrlægen finder egnet.
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Allowed without veterinary reasons; by a vet, other animal health staff, or someone the vet finds suitable.
Djurskyddsförordning (2019:66), ch. 4 s.1Checked 4. nov. 2026
USA
Ohio
Efter hornenes frembrud skal der anvendes smertebehandling; det skal udføres humant.
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After horn eruption, pain management must be used; must be done humanely.
Ohio Admin. Code 901:12-13-02(A)(1)In force since 13. feb. 2025Checked 4. nov. 2026
Efter hornenes frembrud skal der anvendes smertebehandling; det skal udføres humant.
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After horn eruption, pain management must be used; must be done humanely.
Ohio Admin. Code 901:12-6-02(A)(1) (dairy), 901:12-7-02(A)(1) (beef)In force since 13. feb. 2025Checked 4. nov. 2026
What each status means
- Kun af dyrlæge
- Allowed only when a vet performs it, often with pain relief or an age limit.
- Begrænset
- Allowed with conditions other than a vet: an age limit, a method, a licence.
- Tilladt
- Allowed.
The law on other procedures
- Kupering af ører
- Halekupering
- Halekupering (landbrugsdyr)
- Fjernelse af ulvekløer
- Fjernelse af hornanlæg
- Kloamputation (onykektomi)
- Devokalisering (fjernelse af stemmebånd)
- Næbtrimning
- Vingeamputation
- Tandklipning
- Mulesing
- Fjernelse af kam og hagelapper
- Fjernelse af sporer
- Isætning af næsering
- Brændemærkning
- Frysemærkning
- Indsnit i halen (rejsning)