[Preventative tail amputation in fattening bulls]

In 5 cattle fattening farms with 900 to 3000 bulls tail docking was practised prophylactically in consequence of losses due to tail necrosis. Following detailed consultations in the farms temporary exceptional permission of the ban of amputation according to article 6 of the German Animal Welfare Law was given to 4 of the 5 farms, associated with real instructions to improve the housing conditions. By that means communication between farmer and veterinary authority was intensified and the contrariety between legislation and practice was pointed out clearly. The farmers were concerned with consequences of the ban of tail docking intensively. A process of understanding began, resulting in renunciation of prophylactic tail docking in 4 of the 5 farms.