Hot branding: the law by country

The agency states that iron branding is banned for identifying horses, in favour of microchips. Agency page dated 5 May 2020.

Law of 14 August 1986, as stated by Bruxelles EnvironnementChecked Nov 4, 2026

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)). Beef: only when required for export, by policy or as proof of ownership, by trained personnel; not on wet cattle. Dairy cattle must not be branded.

NFACC Code of Practice: Beef Cattle (2013), s.4.3; Dairy Cattle (2023), s.4.2.1 (industry codes, not statutes)Checked Nov 4, 2026

Marking horses by branding is excepted from the anaesthesia rule when done by a qualified person. Text read on a legal publisher's copy of Act 246/1992 Sb. (last amended 1 April 2025), not the official collection.

Act 246/1992 Sb., s.7(3)(h)Checked Nov 4, 2026

Nobody may hot brand an animal. The temporary exception for horses, ponies and donkeys (r 55M) was revoked on 2026-05-09, so no exception remains. Fine up to NZ$5,000 (body corporate NZ$25,000).

Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018, rr 55L, 55MIn force since May 9, 2021Checked Nov 4, 2026

Marking warm-blooded animals by burning is named as cruelty, unless a procedure allowed by law.

Ustawa o ochronie zwierząt (21 August 1997), art. 6(2)(1), as amended by Dz.U. 2011 poz. 1373Checked Nov 4, 2026

Listed as an identification method for horses; no specific condition in Sch. 7.

SI 2007/1100, Sch. 1In force since Apr 6, 2007Checked Nov 4, 2026

Not listed among the identification methods for cattle, which include freeze branding.

Animal Welfare Act 2006, s.5; SI 2007/1100, Sch. 1In force since Apr 6, 2007Checked Nov 4, 2026

The 2010 Regulations do not re-enact the 2007 hot-branding provision for equines, and no authorisations exist.

Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, s.20; Prohibited Procedures on Protected Animals (Exemptions) (Scotland) Regulations 2010 (SSI 2010/387)In force since Nov 5, 2010Checked Nov 4, 2026

Listed identification method; no specific condition in Sch. 7.

WSI 2007/1029, Sch. 1In force since Mar 28, 2007Checked Nov 4, 2026