{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/prohibited-procedures-on-protected-animals-exemptions-scotland-regulations-2010/schedule-4",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/prohibited-procedures-on-protected-animals-exemptions-scotland-regulations-2010/schedule-4.json",
  "legislation": "ssi/2010/387",
  "legislation_title": "The Prohibited Procedures on Protected Animals (Exemptions) (Scotland) Regulations 2010",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/prohibited-procedures-on-protected-animals-exemptions-scotland-regulations-2010",
  "path": "schedule/4",
  "kind": "schedule",
  "number": "4",
  "heading": "Sheep",
  "text": "Procedure\nPurpose\nTattooing\nIdentification\nEar tagging\n1. Identification; or\n2. Screening or routine or random testing for disease.\nEar notching\nIdentification\nMicro chipping\nIdentification\nVasectomy\nControlling reproduction or general animal management\nCastration\nCondition—\nSurgical castration may only be carried out by a veterinary surgeon.\nControlling reproduction or general animal management\nLaparoscopic insemination\nControlling reproduction or general animal management\nEmbryo and ovum transfer\nControlling reproduction or general animal management\nImplantation of a subcutaneous contraceptive into a non-farmed sheep\nControlling reproduction or general animal management, as part of a conservation programme\nDehorning\nHandler safety or flock welfare\nDisbudding\nHandler safety or flock welfare\nDocking of a farmed sheep kept on agricultural land\nAnimal health\nConditions—\n1) Docking of sheep over 3 months of age may only be carried out by a veterinary surgeon.\n2) Surgical docking may only be carried out by a veterinary surgeon.\n3) Docking may only be performed where sufficient tail is retained to cover the vulva in the case of female sheep and the anus in the case of male sheep.",
  "extent": "S",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Words in sch. 4 substituted (9.2.2012) by The Prohibited Procedures on Protected Animals (Exemptions) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 (S.S.I. 2012/40), regs. 1, 2(4)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in sch. 4 inserted (22.2.2011) by The Prohibited Procedures on Protected Animals (Exemptions) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2011 (S.S.I. 2011/164), regs. 1, 2(2)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2010/387/schedule/4",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-28T21:53:14.992532+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}