Ban for hot-branding of horses in Scotland

The hot-branding of horses and ponies is to be banned, the Scottish Government has announced.

New regulations will be laid before the Scottish Parliament next month to remove an exemption that allows the hot- branding of equine animals.

At the moment, it can be carried out only where specific permission is given, but no more authorisations are to be granted.

Nine authorisations were issued last year in Scotland, all for semi-feral ponies on the remote Scoraig peninsula in Wester Ross.

Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said: "There is no place for hot branding in a country which prides itself on its high animal welfare credentials.

"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 it is no longer required.

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