The EFSA Animal Health and Welfare Network has published a report on mutilations in beef cattle. Mutilations included in the report are castration, disbudding, and dehorning. The report summarises responses on mutilation practices from 18 Member States obtained during the March 2024 EFSA Network meeting. For each mutilation, network contacts discussed the national legislation, the methods and prevalence of the practice, the age of the animal, required pain management, eligible people to perform the practice, and knowledge on animal welfare in relation to the practice. The different Member States had various requirements for castration, disbudding and dehorning.

To see the full report, visit: https://doi.org/10.2903/sp.efsa.2024.en-9139

EFSA, Vitali, M., Zanna, M. B., Ashe, S., D’Alessio, R. M., Fabris, C., Van der Stede, Y., & Candiani, D. (2024). The practice of mutilations in beef cattle: Exercise of the EFSA Networks on Animal Welfare. EFSA Supporting Publications, 21(12). https://doi.org/10.2903/sp.efsa.2024.en-9139