Scotland is to ban the hot-branding of horses and ponies.

New regulations will be introduced in the Scottish Parliament in September to remove an exemption which allows the hot branding of equines.



Freeze branding, shown here, is considered more humane than hot branding. Freeze branding, shown here, is considered more humane than hot branding.

Under present laws, hot branding can be carried out only where specific permission is given. No more authorisations are to be granted.

"There is no place for hot branding in a country which prides itself on its high animal welfare credentials," said the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead.

"This process is painful and involves burning and scarring sensitive tissue which can clearly cause animals unnecessary stress and pain.

"The main function of branding is to identify horses and ponies but the legal requirement to microchip all equines now means that it is no longer required," he said.

"The belief that branding is unjustifiable is shared among the vast majority of veterinary and animal welfare organisations."

He called it a major step forward for equine health.

The proposal to ban hot-branding was widely supported by veterinary, equine and animal welfare groups, who made their views known during a consultation period between December and mid-March 15.

The British Equine Veterinary Association said hot branding was no longer justifiable on welfare grounds.

"The production of a hot brand requires the efficient destruction by burning of the superficial skin layers, leaving essentially a distinct scar. One of the problems with horses and ponies identified by hot brand is the great variation in the degree of this scarring," it said.

"The procedure is undoubtedly painful and reactions to branding vary from the apparently stoic to quite violent."

The British Veterinary Association supported the ban, describing hot branding as unacceptable. It said a ban was necessary on welfare grounds.

The British Horse Society said it did not consider accurate identification through hot branding to be a sufficient justification for causing pain.

Advocates for Animals said: "Hot branding of horses and other equines is an outmoded means of identification which causes unnecessary suffering and ought to be prohibited."

The Scottish SPCA also welcomed the ban. "with the advent of, and a legal requirement to microchip all equines, hot branding is no longer required," it said.

People4ponies called brands an unreliable and unnecessary form of identification.

"Branding does not improve the welfare of ponies; in fact, the handling, restraint and branding is detrimental to the overall welfare and future of the ponies."

Animal Aid said: "To remove the exemption to allow the hot branding of equine animals - would be a major step forward in equine welfare."