Descornado: the law by country
Where it is banned, allowed only under conditions or permitted. Each rule names its law and links to the source.
- Solo por veterinario: 3 places
- Restringido: 12 places
- Permitido: 2 places
Australia
Whole country
No es ley por sí mismo; cada estado decide. Estándares: operador experto; alivio del dolor, salvo a menos de 6 meses de edad, o a menos de 12 meses en el primer encierro en corral cuando la jurisdicción apruebe esa edad.
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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
Código obligatorio según el organismo nacional de normas. Leímos el texto nacional, no el reglamento: operador experto; alivio del dolor, salvo a menos de 6 meses de edad, o a menos de 12 meses en el primer encierro en corral cuando se apruebe.
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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
A partir de los 6 meses de edad requiere analgésico o anestésico, salvo en el primer encierro en corral de un animal de menos de 12 meses que no haya sido encerrado antes de los 6 meses. La Animal Welfare Act 2025 (SA), que no estaba en vigor el 2026-11-04, derogará este reglamento cuando entre en vigor.
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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 abr. 2017Checked 4 nov. 2026
Canadá
Whole country
National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice: es un código del sector, no una ley. El NFACC afirma que los requisitos del Código no son explícitamente vinculantes en la mayoría de las provincias, pero pueden servir de prueba de sufrimiento. Se menciona en la legislación provincial: adoptado en NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 hace que una práctica que el código prohíbe sea una práctica prohibida), prescrito en SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), citado como defensa en NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) y BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, como práctica generalmente aceptada), aceptado en NS (Act s.28(b)). Solo si es necesario para la salud y el bienestar de la cabra, por un veterinario con sedación o anestesia y analgesia.
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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: es un código del sector, no una ley. El NFACC afirma que los requisitos del Código no son explícitamente vinculantes en la mayoría de las provincias, pero pueden servir de prueba de sufrimiento. Se menciona en la legislación provincial: adoptado en NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 hace que una práctica que el código prohíbe sea una práctica prohibida), prescrito en SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), citado como defensa en NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) y BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, como práctica generalmente aceptada), aceptado en NS (Act s.28(b)). Si es necesario, por un veterinario con licencia, con anestesia y analgesia perioperatoria.
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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: es un código del sector, no una ley. El NFACC afirma que los requisitos del Código no son explícitamente vinculantes en la mayoría de las provincias, pero pueden servir de prueba de sufrimiento. Se menciona en la legislación provincial: adoptado en NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 hace que una práctica que el código prohíbe sea una práctica prohibida), prescrito en SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), citado como defensa en NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) y BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, como práctica generalmente aceptada), aceptado en NS (Act s.28(b)). Ganado lechero: después de los 2 meses solo excepcionalmente, con anestesia y analgesia, sin bandas. Ganado de carne: personal competente; control del dolor tras la fijación de la yema desde 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
Dinamarca
Whole country
Bajo anestésico con alivio del dolor prolongado, por un veterinario; se prohíben las sustancias cáusticas, las bandas de goma y los elastradores.
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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
Bajo anestésico con alivio del dolor prolongado, por un veterinario; se prohíben las sustancias cáusticas, las bandas de goma y los elastradores.
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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
Estados Unidos
Ohio
Tras la erupción del cuerno debe aplicarse manejo del dolor; debe hacerse con trato humanitario.
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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
Tras la erupción del cuerno debe aplicarse manejo del dolor; debe hacerse con trato humanitario.
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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
Estonia
Whole country
Debe hacerse antes de que el ternero cumpla 2 meses; no es rutinario en bovinos adultos; no se recomiendan sustancias químicas. La página del organismo no cita números de artículo; no se pudo abrir la ley misma (Riigi Teataja requiere un navegador con scripts habilitados), así que conviene revisar la redacción vigente.
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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
Irlanda
Whole country
Caprinos de más de 8 días, por un veterinario.
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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
Por un veterinario.
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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
Por un veterinario.
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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
Nueva Zelanda
Whole country
A la cabra se le debe administrar alivio del dolor autorizado por un veterinario. El operador debe estar capacitado o tener experiencia.
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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 may. 2021Checked 4 nov. 2026
Durante todo el procedimiento el animal debe estar bajo alivio del dolor autorizado por un veterinario. El operador debe estar capacitado o tener experiencia.
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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 may. 2021Checked 4 nov. 2026
Durante todo el procedimiento el animal debe estar bajo alivio del dolor autorizado por un veterinario. El operador debe estar capacitado o tener experiencia y saber reconocer el sufrimiento.
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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 oct. 2019Checked 4 nov. 2026
Países Bajos
Whole country
Caprinos mantenidos para la producción de leche o en granjas donde se puede acariciar a los animales.
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Goats kept for milk production or on petting farms.
Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.5Checked 4 nov. 2026
Intervención designada.
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Designated intervention.
Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.5Checked 4 nov. 2026
Intervención designada.
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Designated intervention.
Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.4Checked 4 nov. 2026
Reino Unido
England
Debe administrarse un anestésico.
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An anaesthetic must be administered.
SI 2007/1100, Sch. 1 and Sch. 2In force since 6 abr. 2007Checked 4 nov. 2026
Northern Ireland
Debe aplicarse un anestésico.
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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 abr. 2012Checked 4 nov. 2026
Scotland
Exento por la seguridad de quien maneja a los animales o el bienestar del rebaño; este Reglamento no enumera ninguna condición.
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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
Debe administrarse un anestésico.
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An anaesthetic must be administered.
WSI 2007/1029, Sch. 2In force since 28 mar. 2007Checked 4 nov. 2026
Suecia
Whole country
Se permite sin motivos veterinarios; por un veterinario, otro personal de sanidad animal o una persona que el veterinario considere idónea.
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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
Se permite sin motivos veterinarios; por un veterinario, otro personal de sanidad animal o una persona que el veterinario considere idónea.
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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
What each status means
- Solo por veterinario
- Allowed only when a vet performs it, often with pain relief or an age limit.
- Restringido
- Allowed with conditions other than a vet: an age limit, a method, a licence.
- Permitido
- Allowed.
The law on other procedures
- Corte de orejas
- Caudectomía (corte de cola)
- Corte de cola (ganado)
- Extirpación de los espolones
- Desbotonado
- Desungulación (onicectomía)
- Desvocalización (cordectomía)
- Recorte del pico
- Amputación de la punta del ala
- Descolmillado
- Mulesing
- Descrestado
- Corte de espolones (gallo)
- Anillado nasal
- Marcado a fuego
- Marcado en frío
- Sección de los músculos de la cola (elevación)