Pinioning: the law by country
Where it is banned, allowed only under conditions or permitted. Each rule names its law and links to the source.
Removing the wing tip so a bird can never fly.
- Vet only: 1 place
- Restricted: 5 places
Australia
New South Wales
Wording read from the government's public consultation draft of the Regulation, because the NSW legislation site refused automated access; the department confirms the Regulation commenced on 2025-02-01 and covers this procedure. Check the made text. Exempt from the cruelty offences only for birds under 3 days old in named orders whose owner holds an exhibited-animals authority, by a vet or on a vet's advice, or pheasants up to 24 hours old; never disabling both wings.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2025 (NSW), cl 26In force since Feb 1, 2025Checked Nov 4, 2026
Ireland
Whole country
Non-farmed birds only, by a veterinary practitioner.
Animal Health and Welfare (Operations and Procedures) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 127/2014), Schedule, Part 7In force since Mar 6, 2014Checked Nov 4, 2026
United Kingdom
England
May not be carried out on farmed birds; an anaesthetic is required at 10 days or over.
SI 2007/1100, Sch. 1 and Sch. 4In force since Apr 6, 2007Checked Nov 4, 2026
Northern Ireland
Not on farmed birds; an anaesthetic at 10 days or over.
Welfare of Animals (Permitted Procedures by Lay Persons) Regulations (NI) 2012 (S.R. 2012/153), Sch. 7In force since Apr 2, 2012Checked Nov 4, 2026
Scotland
Birds other than poultry only, for general animal management.
SSI 2010/387, Sch. 3In force since Nov 5, 2010Checked Nov 4, 2026
Wales
Not on farmed birds; an anaesthetic at 10 days or over.
WSI 2007/1029, Sch. 4In force since Mar 28, 2007Checked Nov 4, 2026
What each status means
- Vet only
- Allowed only when a vet performs it, often with pain relief or an age limit.
- Restricted
- Allowed with conditions other than a vet: an age limit, a method, a licence.