Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations revoke and replace the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, as amended.
These Regulations implement Community legislation which had previously been implemented in the Regulations mentioned above. The Community legislation which these Regulations continue to implement is—
Council Directive 2008/119/EC of 18 December 2008 laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves (Codified version) (O.J. No. L 10, 15.1.2009)
Council Directive 91/630/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs (O.J. No. L340, 11.12.91, p. 33); as amended by Council Directive 2001/88/EC and Commission Directive 2001/93/EC.
Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes (O.J. No. L221, 8.8.98, p. 23).
Council Directive 99/74/EC (O.J. No. L 203, 3.8.99, p. 53), laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens, in establishments with 350 or more laying hens.
Council Directive 2007/43/EC laying down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production (O.J. No. L 182, 12.7.07, p. 19).
Council Directive 2008/120/EC of 18 December 2008 laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs (Codified version) (O.J. No. L 47, 18.2.2009).
The Regulations (and the Community legislation which they implement) reflect the obligations contained in the European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes of 10th March 1976, as read with the Protocol of Amendment to the European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes of 6th February 1992.
The Regulations apply to all animals kept for farming purposes (subject to certain exceptions) (regulation 2(1)).
Regulation 3 prescribes the duties on persons responsible for farmed animals.
Regulation 4 sets out the addition duties required of a person responsible for certain species of animal.
Regulation 5 contains provision to require that a person responsible for animals have shall be acquainted with the relevant code of practice and shall ensure that a person employed by him has received instruction in the code of practice.
Under regulation 6, any contravention of the Regulations is an offence against section 11 of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Regulation 7 prescribes the penalties for a person guilty of an offence under regulation 6.