Avhorning: 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 av veterinær: 3 places
- Begrenset: 12 places
- Tillatt: 2 places
Australia
Whole country
Ikke lov i seg selv; hver delstat bestemmer. Standarder: dyktig utfører; smertelindring, unntatt når dyret er yngre enn 6 måneder, eller yngre enn 12 måneder ved første opptrening der jurisdiksjonen godkjenner den alderen.
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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 kode ifølge det nasjonale standardiseringsorganet. Vi har lest den nasjonale teksten, ikke forskriften: dyktig utfører; smertelindring, unntatt når dyret er yngre enn 6 måneder, eller yngre enn 12 måneder ved første opptrening der det er godkjent.
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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. juli 2021Checked 4. nov. 2026
South Australia
Fra 6 måneders alder kreves et analgetikum eller bedøvelse, unntatt ved første opptrening i innhegning av et dyr yngre enn 12 måneder som ikke er samlet inn før 6 måneders alder. Animal Welfare Act 2025 (SA), som ikke var i kraft 2026-11-04, vil oppheve disse forskriftene når den trer 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 bransjekode, ikke en lov. NFACC sier at kodens krav ikke uttrykkelig er bindende i de fleste provinser, men kan være bevis for lidelse. Provinsenes lovgivning viser til den: vedtatt i NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 gjør en praksis som koden forbyr til en forbudt praksis), foreskrevet i SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), nevnt som forsvar i NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) og BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, som allment akseptert praksis), akseptert i NS (Act s.28(b)). Bare hvis det er nødvendig for geitas helse og velferd, av en veterinær med sedasjon eller bedøvelse og analgesi.
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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 bransjekode, ikke en lov. NFACC sier at kodens krav ikke uttrykkelig er bindende i de fleste provinser, men kan være bevis for lidelse. Provinsenes lovgivning viser til den: vedtatt i NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 gjør en praksis som koden forbyr til en forbudt praksis), foreskrevet i SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), nevnt som forsvar i NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) og BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, som allment akseptert praksis), akseptert i NS (Act s.28(b)). Om nødvendig, av en autorisert veterinær med bedøvelse og perioperativ analgesi.
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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 bransjekode, ikke en lov. NFACC sier at kodens krav ikke uttrykkelig er bindende i de fleste provinser, men kan være bevis for lidelse. Provinsenes lovgivning viser til den: vedtatt i NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 gjør en praksis som koden forbyr til en forbudt praksis), foreskrevet i SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), nevnt som forsvar i NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) og BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, som allment akseptert praksis), akseptert i NS (Act s.28(b)). Melkekyr: etter 2 måneder bare unntaksvis, med bedøvelse og analgesi, ingen banding. Kjøttfe: kompetent personell; smertekontroll etter at hornanlegget har festet seg 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, av en veterinær; etsende 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. juli 2023Checked 4. nov. 2026
Under bedøvelse med langvarig smertelindring, av en veterinær; etsende 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. juli 2023Checked 4. nov. 2026
Estland
Whole country
Skal gjøres før kalven er 2 måneder gammel; ikke rutinemessig på voksent storfe; kjemikalier anbefales ikke. Myndighetens side oppgir ingen paragrafnumre; selve loven kunne ikke åpnes (Riigi Teataja krever en nettleser med skript aktivert), så kontroller gjeldende 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
Geiter over 8 dager, av en veterinær.
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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. mars 2014Checked 4. nov. 2026
Av en veterinær.
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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. mars 2014Checked 4. nov. 2026
Av en veterinær.
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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. mars 2014Checked 4. nov. 2026
Nederland
Whole country
Geiter som holdes til melkeproduksjon eller på kosedyrgårder.
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Goats kept for milk production or on petting farms.
Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.5Checked 4. nov. 2026
Utpekt inngrep.
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Designated intervention.
Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.5Checked 4. nov. 2026
Utpekt inngrep.
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Designated intervention.
Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.4Checked 4. nov. 2026
New Zealand
Whole country
Geita må gis smertelindring godkjent av en veterinær. Utføreren må være opplært 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. mai 2021Checked 4. nov. 2026
Under hele inngrepet må dyret være under smertelindring godkjent av en veterinær. Utføreren må være opplært 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. mai 2021Checked 4. nov. 2026
Under hele inngrepet må dyret være under smertelindring godkjent av en veterinær. Utføreren må være opplært eller erfaren og kunne gjenkjenne 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
Storbritannia
England
Bedøvelse må gis.
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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
Bedøvelse skal gis.
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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
Unntatt for håndtererens sikkerhet eller flokkens velferd; disse forskriftene oppgir 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
Bedøvelse må gis.
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An anaesthetic must be administered.
WSI 2007/1029, Sch. 2In force since 28. mars 2007Checked 4. nov. 2026
Sverige
Whole country
Tillatt uten veterinærmedisinske grunner; av en veterinær, annet dyrehelsepersonell eller noen veterinæren finner 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
Tillatt uten veterinærmedisinske grunner; av en veterinær, annet dyrehelsepersonell eller noen veterinæren finner 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
Etter at hornene har brutt fram, må smertebehandling brukes; det må gjøres 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
Etter at hornene har brutt fram, må smertebehandling brukes; det må gjøres 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 av veterinær
- Allowed only when a vet performs it, often with pain relief or an age limit.
- Begrenset
- Allowed with conditions other than a vet: an age limit, a method, a licence.
- Tillatt
- Allowed.
The law on other procedures
- Kupering av ører
- Halekupering
- Halekupering (husdyr)
- Fjerning av ulveklør
- Fjerning av hornanlegg
- Kloamputasjon (onykektomi)
- Devokalisering (fjerning av stemmebånd)
- Nebbtrimming
- Vingeamputasjon
- Tannklipping
- Mulesing
- Fjerning av kam og hakelapper
- Fjerning av sporer
- Innsetting av nesering
- Brennmerking
- Frysemerking
- Innsnitt i halen (reising)