Teeth clipping: the law by country

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)). The need must be evaluated; only when deemed necessary.

NFACC Code of Practice: Pigs (2014), s.4.5.4 (industry code, not a statute)Checked Nov 4, 2026

Grinding or clipping the teeth of suckling piglets without anaesthesia, 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)(f)Checked Nov 4, 2026

Clipping piglets' teeth only for the benefit of the health and welfare of other pigs. 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 Nov 4, 2026

Clipping or grinding piglets' teeth is prohibited except for veterinary reasons; preventive clipping is no longer allowed.

Animal Welfare Act 693/2023 and the Government Decree on procedures, as stated by the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto)In force since Jan 1, 2024Checked Nov 4, 2026

Grinding eye teeth without anaesthesia only for piglets under 8 days, if essential to protect the sow or littermates.

Tierschutzgesetz, s.5(3)Checked Nov 4, 2026

Non-routine, under 8 days, grinding or clipping leaving a smooth surface, on evidence of injury and after a vet's opinion.

Animal Health and Welfare (Operations and Procedures) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 127/2014), Schedule, Part 2In force since Mar 6, 2014Checked Nov 4, 2026

Filing corner teeth uniformly, not older than 7 days, where injuries are found and measures failed.

Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.3Checked Nov 4, 2026

Teeth may be cut only by a veterinarian (or supervised veterinary student) or under an animal ethics committee procedure, except a pig's needle teeth at 4 days of age or under and a boar's tusks. Tusks must be cut with obstetrical wire or a dental saw.

Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018, r 56DIn force since May 9, 2021Checked Nov 4, 2026

Uniform reduction of corner teeth at 7 days or under, by grinding or clipping, after measures against vices and where injury is still evidenced.

SI 2007/1100, Sch. 1 and Sch. 3In force since Apr 6, 2007Checked Nov 4, 2026

Lay person: up to 7 days, uniform reduction of corner teeth, after other measures and with injuries still occurring.

Welfare of Animals (Permitted Procedures by Lay Persons) Regulations (NI) 2012 (S.R. 2012/153), Sch. 2In force since Apr 2, 2012Checked Nov 4, 2026

Farmed piglets at 7 days or less, by grinding or clipping, on evidence of injury after other measures.

SSI 2010/387, Sch. 2In force since Nov 5, 2010Checked Nov 4, 2026

At 7 days or under; uniform reduction of corner teeth, after other measures, on evidence of injury.

WSI 2007/1029, Sch. 3In force since Mar 28, 2007Checked Nov 4, 2026

Teeth trimming and tusk trimming may be done by a knowledgeable individual.

N.J.A.C. 2:8-7.6(d)Checked Nov 4, 2026