Skin biopsies remain illegal

Skin biopsies taken by vets to measure fleece density in alpacas in the UK are illegal, an investigation by Alpaca editor Liz Mason has confirmed.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and DEFRA, the government department responsible for food, farming and the environment, told the magazine that biopsies, when carried out for breeding purposes are an “unnecessary mutilation” and are therefore illegal under the Animal Welfare Act.

Our investigation comes after the magazine was told that the RCVS, who are responsible for upholding ethical standards among the veterinary profession, had recently reconsidered the issue and had decided that the practice was legal.

The RCVS confirmed in a statement that a sub-committee had looked at the issue. It had said that a skin biopsy for the purposes of breeding decisions was “likely to amount to recognised veterinary practice” and “falls within the definition of recognised animal husbandry”.

But a DEFRA spokesperson told the magazine that under the Animal Welfare Act it is an offence to mutilate an animal – subject to exceptions set out in mutilation regulations. There is no mention in the mutilation regulation of this procedure for camelids, DEFRA said. “Such a procedure would be considered illegal under this regulation.”

Leading vets contacted by the magazine were unaware that the RCVS had updated its position on skin biopsies for breeding.

The issue was raised sometime ago after the profession came under pressure to perform the procedure in alpacas. In a statement, released at the time VetPartners, an umbrella group of practices, said: “A mutilation is defined as ‘a procedure which interferes with sensitive tissue or bone structure of an animal’. A skin biopsy, regardless of its size, is recognised as such. Animal welfare legislation in the UK prohibits mutilations on animals ‘otherwise than for the purpose of its medical treatment.’”

The VetPartners statement added that it had consulted the Animal Welfare Act, and sought advice from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. “We have received a clear response and wish to unequivocally state that this mutilation is not permissible under UK law.

“Any persons undertaking this type of procedure for the purpose of follicle density analysis is doing so in direct contravention of animal welfare law.”

RCVS apologises for confusion

Biopsies are however carried out in other countries, including the US and Australia as a test for fleece density (see feature). And the magazine understands that a camelid vet practice had planned to offer the service to breeders after receiving clarification from the RCVS that skin biopsies for the purposes of making breeding decisions were legal.

The RCVS confirmed that its sub-committee “was of the view that taking skin biopsies from alpacas for the purposes of making breeding decisions is likely to amount to recognised veterinary practice, i.e. the clinical investigation and management of the health or welfare of animals, and is thus permitted. It also falls within the definition of recognised animal husbandry, as set out in… the supporting guidance to the Code of Conduct.”

It added: “Taking a skin biopsy is therefore not, in the opinion of the Subcommittee, considered a mutilation, or a procedure that requires Home Office licensing under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act, provided that is for the purpose of recognised animal husbandry, which does include breeding to improve the qualities considered desirable by humans.”

But following further consultation, after it learned that DEFRA was of the view that biopsies for breeding were illegal under the Animal Welfare Act, the RCVS again updated its position.

In an apologetic statement it told the magazine that it was ‘in agreement with DEFRA, ie that taking a skin biopsy from an alpaca for breeding purposes would be considered an unnecessary mutilation and therefore not considered recognised veterinary practice and illegal under the Animal Welfare Act.”