ClipFitter - Novel Clamping System

- Novel Clamping System

A practical alternative to rubber rings for the castration and tailing of lambs October 2022 V.Molony, B. Eadie, B. Falconer

Project managed and sponsored by

brian@lambkind.co.uk Beechwood, Philiphaugh, Selkirk, Scotland TD7 5LU +44 (0)1750 700029 +44 (0)7802 555115

www.lambkind.co.uk October 2022

Professor Vince Molony is internationally renowned through the papers he has published over 50 years, on animal pain, and for the various studies he has conducted on castration and tailing methods. Most national and international husbandry standards reference Molony’s work He worked often with Joyce Kent who has also published many papers in her own right.

Novel Castration and Tailing Clamp ClipFitter, once known as ClampEasy, is his concept and he has a current patent application. Professor Molony’s Clip

crushes across the whole scrotum or tail and is left on the animal to complete the removal of the required ‘appendage’.

1. Clamping is currently a skilled operation.

The first official trial of these new Molony Clamps was conducted by the Scottish Rural University (formerly SAC) in 2. All Clamping methods are currently slow because they involve a timed, high intensity crushing of the chord� Edinburgh, under UK Home Office rules, with excellent results for the older tested lambs. The 2022 SRUC Trial results leading to each testicle in turn. are soon to be revealed but show excellent results for young (<7 days) lambs too.

3. Although it is a commonly permitted method of castration and tail docking internationally, its use is minimal Brian Eadie, is a graduate creator of many patented products covering several industries. He is on sheep because of theseengineer skill�andand speed factors. managing the commercialisation of the project. His Company will supply the Novel Clipp and Fitter for agricultural use, exploiting his extensive contacts in that industry around the world. He has completed three business sales to global Professor Vince Molony internationally renowned through the papers he has published over years, on animal� market leaders, since 1990, is and all associated with products which make difficult jobs easier and50more practical for farmers, and in many similar to thison current project. has methods. a patent pending for theand latest ClipFitter pain, and fortherefore the various studiesways he has conducted castration andHe tailing Most national international� applicator. husbandry standards reference Molony’s work.

Brian is a passionate, practical and engineer. Co-opted

by Brian Eadie to design The Falconer, ‘Novel Clamp’ is his concept and he hastheoretical a current graduate patent application.

The Molony Clamp crushes across the� the new application system, he describes himself as a tinkerer and problem solver, adept at both analysing whole scrotum or tail and is left on the animal to complete the removal of the required ‘appendage’. and solving problems (mathematically or otherwise) and then putting a solution into practice (with extensive hands on The officialskills). trial of these new Molony Clamps was conducted by the Scottish Rural University (formerly SAC) in� engineering Edinburgh, under UK Home Office rules, with excellent results.

Brian Eadie, is a graduate engineer and creator of many patented products covering several industries. He is�

Novel Castration and Tailing Clip

managing the commercialisation project. His Company will supply the Novel Clamp and Clamper for�

agricultural use, exploiting his extensive contacts in that industry around the world. He has completed�three 1. Clamping with atoBurdizzo or similar is a skilled operation anatomical knowledge andmake�difficult dexterity business sales global market leaders, since 1990, andrequiring all associated with products which jobs 2. All Clamping methods are for currently slow because theyininvolve timed, high intensity crushing of the cords easier and more practical farmers, and therefore manyaways similar to this current project. leading to each testicle.

Brian Falconer, is a passionate, practical and theoretical Graduate Engineer. Co-opted by Brian Eadie to design� 3. Athe lthough it is a commonly permitted method of castration and tail the useanalysing of new application system, he describes himself as a tinkerer anddocking probleminternationally, solver, adept at both and� Clamping is minimal on sheep because of these skill and speed factors. solving problems (mathematically or otherwise) and then putting a solution into practice (with extensive hands� 4. Ton heengineering Novel Clip replaces skills). the use of a Burdizzo & Ring (combined method). Results are shown below for it’s effectiveness on Older (SRUC 2018) and Younger (SRUC 2022) Lambs. 2018 results have been supplemented for clarity by historical RR pain v time figures in red. 2022 results show that comparison already.

Novel Clamp: official trial results 2022 SRUC Trial Summary <7d Younger Lambs 2018 SRUC Trial Summary 6w+ Older Lambs

Active pain behaviour

Pain v Time

Standard RR

ClipFitter

Combined method

sRR + LAn

60 min time course of mean REQ scores Young lambs 2022 (10 x 6 min bins) 200

Conventional RR and small sRR + Local Anaesthetic 180 n = 8 (Molony et al. 2012) 160 Compared with the Combined and Novel clamp 140 this study, n = 6 methods from

60

Combined method 40

Novel clamp 20 sRR +LAn 0

No treatment

80

Standard RR

ClipFitter

100

sRR+Anaesthetic&Metacam

120

Standard RR

Pain

60 min time course of mean REQ scores (10 x 6 min bins)

Time The applicator used in these trials was a modified Burdizzo/Nipper. The Clamps included hand made products by The following Abstract summarises the 2018 official trial, and the conclusions have been underlined.

Prof Molony and injection moulded products by Brian Eadie.

An Abstract from the 2022 trial will be published soon.

The following Abstract summarises the official trial, and the conclusions have been underlined.

October 2022 June 2019

Technical contribution: a more humane alternative to rubber rings for castration of older lambs (Ovis aries).

V Molony1*, SBM Prater1, J Donbavand2, B Eadie3, JE Kent1, and CM Dwyer2.

1

Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK. Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland’s Rural College, Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK. 3 Eadie Bros and Co. Ltd, Beechwood, Philiphaugh, Selkirk, TD7 5LU, UK. Running title: A humane alternative for castration of lambs

TI

Abstract:

A L

2

EN

The objective of this study was the welfare problem of severe pain suffered by lambs when castrated with tight rubber rings without effective local anaesthesia.

Quantitative assessment of pain-related behaviour, after castration with a novel clamp around the neck

D

of the scrotum, was compared with that after castration by the combined method and with previous

FI

assessments of the effects of rubber ring castration with and without simultaneous injection of local anaesthetic.

N

Two groups of six lambs, 7-8 weeks of age, were castrated and pain-related behaviours were recorded

C O

for 60 minutes. Castration wounds were assessed every 2-3 days for 24 days.

Average active pain-related behaviour scores for lambs in each group were: clamp 18.8; combined 73.1, compared with 239.5 for rubber ring castration and 85.1 for rubber ring castration with simultaneous injection of local anaesthetic. The first clamp and necrotic scrotum were shed, spontaneously after 20-24 days and before any rubber rings used for the combined method. No consistent differences in the severity of the castration wounds were found between the two groups.

It was concluded that, castration with this novel clamp can be more humane than conventional rubber ring castration.

It remains to be determined if this method can be developed to permit farmers to carry it out quickly and easily under field conditions. If this can be achieved and if the method were to be accepted as sufficiently humane, un-anaesthetised lambs could be castrated without suffering more than the brief pain of clamp application.

October June 2022 2019

Pain Management Options for Tail Docking and Castration The Nerve blocking effect of the Molony Clip should be considered as a good alternative to the pain dulling effects of chemical ‘pain reduction’ because of its instant and permanent nature, however the following graphic compares the performance in broad terms of the various options.

Physical Nerve Block Local Anaesthetics Molony Clip

Analgesics

NumOcaine* | Tri-Solfen* Buccalgesic* | Metacam*

• Lasts forever

• Blocks pain and sensory function is lost

• Immediately blocks pain and sensory function is lost

• R elieves pain but retains most sensory function

• Quick acting, 1 - 5 minutes to take effect

• Slower to act, 10 - 15 minutes

• Irreversibly damages nerves

• Not long-lasting

• Longer-lasting

• Subcutaneous injection desensitizes a defined location

• S ystemic action following oral or subcutaneous injection

• Forever - Immediate Total

Active pain behaviours

Illustration showing Anaesthetics and Analgesics alleviating, and Physical Nerve Blocking eliminating the Ischemic Pain from rubber ring over time.

Analgesics Effective Anaesthetics Effective Acute Pain Phase

Chronic Pain Phase

Physical Nerve Block Effective 0

15 min

30 min

45 min

1 hr

4 hr

*Tri-Solfen is a topical formulation for use on open surgical wounds, such as knife castration.

October 2022

anded Managed by Brian EadieClamper and funded by Eadie Bros & Co Ltd Start March 2019

Clamp requirements

1. Light, single handed 2. Powerful

Controllablefarm system Project to develop a 3. commercial Project to develop a commercial farm system 1. Light

on

ApplicatorManaged by Brian Eadie and sponsored 4. Quickby operation Eadie Bros & Co Ltd 2. Biodegradable

2019 yto Old30 up toJune 3 Months old 3. Healthy th

Start March 2019 4. March Quick to load into Applicator Start 2019 -the forced halt July 2020 restarted March 2021

th 4 months to 30 Key requirements for farm useJune 2019 Clamper Key targets for farm use requirements

1.

Light, single handed Clamp Clip (Clamp)

1.

Light 1.2.

As light and as rigid as possible.Limits material Powerful choices potentially 2. 3.

Biodegradable Controllable 2. Bio-accellerated (x200)or ideally Water Soluble 3. 4.

Healthy Quick operation re-fill not in sight Quick Loading - automatic onths – still4.3.researching Quick to load intofor the better Applicator 4. Choice of Clip sizes for Lamb th sizes Progress infor 4 months 2019 use on Dayto Old30 up toJune 3 Months old 5. Suitable (Silver based) 5. Reasonably priced

Clamper Fitter (Clamper)

1.1. Light, single handed Ergonomic and suitable for most hand sizes 2. Powerful 2. Mechanically Powerful or powered 3. Controllable 3. Ideally single handed closure 4. Quick operation

e – 18 months – still researching additive (Silver based) load to Clamper either way round – researching stack dispensing

Progress months 30 toJune 2019 2021 Progress in in 4 2.5 active to years September

ut we areClamp researching stack-dispensing for improved th operational speed ages of lambs failed to totally and immediately eliminate pain and discomfort 1. . Never < 12 grams Clip (Clamp) Clamp

– 18necessary monthsrigidity – still researching grams whilst maintaining 3 sizes developed for variety of age/weights of lamb 1.1.2. <<12 12 Biodegradable grams 2.

Probable use of 100% recycled plastic + BioSphere accelerating Anti‐bacterial additive (Silver based) 2. 3.

Biodegradable – 18 months – still researching for better biodegradation by a factor of 200 times. Rapidly biodegradable materials tried and tested with encouraging results. Recycled material last option (fishing nets, fridges) ent prototype oversized.

Range tools under development Symmetrical, loadof to Clamper either way round – researching stack dispensing 3. 4.

Anti-bacterial additive (Silver based) 3. Quick hand loading with experience. Application times can be as quick as ringing. No automation in the pipeline 4. Quick but we100kgs are researching stack-dispensing for improvedand operational speed for generation of hand theonreloading necessary force motorised hand 4. Effective farm on all ages of lambs. Never failed to both totally and immediately eliminate pain andoperated discomfort Clamper 5. Effective on farm on all ages of lambs . Never failed to totally and immediately eliminate pain and discomfort 5. Early production tooling has been made for one mid-size clip for lambs to 15 kgs. Will need refinement and developing o close and open the Clamper jaws. Timed release will be available on the Professional tool to other sizes and for other materials.

Clamper

d but currently oversized. Professional tool under development powered for necessary 100kgs force control to close, with separate lever to release. Redesigning to combine 1. Single handed but currently oversized. under ration under development but aimed atProfessional ringing tool time ordevelopment max of 50% longe der development but aimed for similar speed to ringing or a max of 50% longer 1. Single handed but current prototype oversized. Range of tools under development ClipFitter 2. Hydraulically powered for necessary 100kgs force

2.1. Hydraulically powered for generation of the necessary - both motorised and hand operated Purely mechanical device akin to burdizzo/nipper with100kgs ‘infinite’force power 3. Finger trigger control to close, with separate lever to release. Redesigning to combine New innovative handles eliminate largethe hand stretchjaws. to open andrelease close jaws with reverseon spring force 3.2. Finger trigger control to close and open Clamper Timed will be available the Professional tool 4.

Speed of operation under development but aimed at ringing time or max of 50% longer.

Jaws grip the scrotum or development tail automatically, with spring forcespeed not hand force. or a max of 50% longer 4.3. Speed of operation under but aimed for similar to ringing 4. Optional extras under consideration but skin guarding standard feature.

Farm tests Farm tests

Clip on on scrotum Clamp scrotum

Scrotum shed, clean wound

In summary, appears visually to be and and potentially cumbersome, but, in reality it hasitproven to be to be 100% summary, the the Clip Clamp appears visually tolarge be large potentially cumbersome, but, in reality has proven almost 100%insuccessful in restoring normal behaviour after to application both tails andand scrotum, and even when successful restoring normal behaviour after application both tailstoand scrotum, even when applied by an applied byoperator. an unskilled operator.

There beenScrotum no evidence at all of skin abrasion.

The comparison in behaviour unskilled Th here has been no has evidence at all of skin abrasion.

The comparison in behaviour (video available) is shed, clean wound (videos available) is shocking, re-enforces thethe need to improve the husbandry that necessary shocking, and re-enforces theand need to improve husbandry standard for that standards necessary for mutilation.

They 'shed' in the mutilation. shed quicker and more same time Scrota as the and ring tails on genitals, and quicker on cleanly tails. than current methods in particular rings. Tightly closed scar.

ears visually to be large and potentially cumbersome, but, in reality it has proven to be 100% Junean 2019 mal behaviour after application to both tails and scrotum, and even when applied by October 2022 s been no evidence at all of skin abrasion. The comparison in behaviour (video available) is he need to improve the husbandry standard for that necessary mutilation. They 'shed' in the

Next steps for 2022/23 Commercialisation of the ClipFitter system needs a Business Case. Every farm we have tested the method with has confirmed that it works as a system for complete pain mitigation at tailing and castration. The only hurdles left are a) confirmation of it’s legality throughout the UK b) if farmers could be subsidised or must be forced to use clips (or any other improved system) and c) how uptake would be controlled or policed d) The level of capital investment and working capital required to take ClipFitter into production; is there a business case for Eadie Bros & Co Ltd, or will we need to find investors ? No Grants have been sought or offered to date.

The Clip Fitter Until we have a nationwide green light, these applicators are built on a made-to-order basis still so an agreed lead time should be allowed for each delivery. Brian Falconer manufactures them in the Scottish Borders. We would need 3 to 6 months to gear up for production on a larger scale and the above business considerations apply.

The Clip A mid size Clip, manufactured in bio-accellerated (BioSphere) plastic, for use on lambs to around 15 kgs, is available in production volumes now (although in need of a few modifications for next season). It worked well in 2022, including a biodegradable (water soluble pvOH) clip. However it will take months to develop production tooling for the fully biodegradable clip. Similarly we need months to make moulding tools for other sizes, although small scale production could be established more quickly if bio-accellerated materials are acceptable.

Conclusion We have broached the subject of distribution with farming industry suppliers suited to that role and 2 large players have shown interest once there is a business case. The route to market will be as short as possible for the sake of early control and important feedback on improvements to the practicalities of the system. We commend this advance in castration and tailing technique, and offer it as a solution to the impending demand for improved standards of welfare for young lambs. Although Clamping is OFTEN permitted on all ages of lambs to 3 months, it is avoided because of the need for skill and it’s effect on the speed of operation. This ClipFitter system makes clamping as easy as it can be at this level of investment. It de-skills and speeds up this EFFECTIVE procedure, and makes it available and attractive for all ages of lambs and not just those older than 7 days. It is important to remember that at less than 7 days of age, current levels of suffering from the application of rings can lead to mismothering, orphaning and even premature deaths, not to mention a dreadful start to their short lives.

Brian K.M. Eadie - October 2022

Biodegradable Clips

Clip Application

Developing Clamper

Clipped Clipped "East-West" “North-South”

Tail Clipped

Tail Shed

Standing 2 x Clips, Lying 2 x Rings

October 2022

FAQ - Rules and Regulations

FAQ - Theory and Practice

What is the Law in the UK, and how do those who set husbandry recommendations reach their conclusions ?

Q. Why is your Novel Clamping System so different to the Burdizzos or side-crushers of the present and past ?

1. The UK Law seems to originate, in recent times, with the 1954 Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) - England, Wales and Scotland Act

A. The difference is that we leave the Clip (effectively the jaws of the Burdizzos) in place to ensure the scrotum or tail is removed. It is similar, however, because it castrates in the same way by cutting sperm cords, and by disabling nerves, it eliminates pain.

It originally allowed Castration to 12 months on Sheep but only as an exception to the general use of anaesthetics in sensitive operations.

It crucially was ammended in 1964 for Sheep, reducing the Maximum age for specifically Castration and Tail Docking by restricting the flow of blood (ringing) to 7 days. It also limited other castration methods (Clamping) to an age limit of 3 months.

2. In the late 1900’s and early 2000’s many countries seemed to start to discuss ‘mutilations’ and pain, and further advice to UK Government followed, from the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) in 2008 in a Report on Castration and Tailing. This developed their less-informed report of 1994 which concluded that more research into those specific practices was needed and by 2008 they thought they had enough scientific evidence to improve on the original document.

Amongst many other things, they issued a reminder that as a result of the pain suffered, the probability increased of mis-mothering with it’s after effects, and that it was incorrect to assume that lambs of less than 7 days felt less pain !

3. In 2009 the Government Response to the FAWC Report includes the statement that Methods of castration and tail docking using rubber rings, clamps and combined methods and tail docking using a hot iron would continue to be permitted. (This is the only reference I can find linking Government approval to Clamping). FAWC also supported the continuing use of all methods except surgical castration.

Q. Why is Your Novel Clamping System now less skilled when Clamping is universally described as a skilled job ?

A. W ith the ‘old’ Burdizzo type of tool, it is necessary to crush each spermatic cord separately, which takes time, and leaving un-crushed scrotal tissues and blood vessels to maintain the scrotum is a skill and needs anatomical knowledge.

So with my Novel Clamping System, which crushes across the whole scrotum, no skill greater than that required for Ringing is necessary. We don’t demand any additional selective positioning. We want confidence in the castration process by removing the scrotum entirely. The ‘old’ system was aimed at disabling the testes only, and by all accounts this was not always achieved.

Q. Why, in some Husbandry documents, are people warned against crushing across the whole scrotum with a Burdizzo and yet you are doing it ?

A. I f the Burdizzo is applied across the whole neck of the scrotum all the tissues beyond the line of crush can/will die. So, because there is nothing (like a ring in the combined method, or our novel clip) to hold the live skin together until healing occurs, a large open wound can occur. Hence that advice or warning.

However, with our clamp in place the wound should be small and rapidly heals over when the clamp and dead tissues fall off.

Q. Why might your new system work with less than the usual 5 to 10 seconds of holding time recommended for a Burdizzo ?

Out of interest the response also committed to supporting funding of the development of pain relief and mentioned needle-less injectors too. I do wonder whether any further funding was instigated on any pain relief methods ?

A. A s soon as the latches on our Clip are locked then the Clamper is in a position to be removed. The necessary holding time will depend upon the size of the lamb, the modulus of the tissues and the force applied by the clamper.

4. Advocates for Animals also responded via ScotGov in 2009 to the FAWC report. As far as Clamping (they referred only to Burdizzo) was concerned they suggested that while it blocked the nerve, it was only after a short burst of pain that you wouldn’t allow on a companion animal, and therefore shouldn’t on a food animal either.

The Burdizzo is removed after a subjective delay too, so the success of both systems will depend on the good judgement of the farmer.

They state that with rubber rings, lambs experience pain all the way through the process of atrophy. They state that Anaesthesia needs to be accompanied by Analgesics, and even then neither is enough for this long period of suffering.

5. Australian Standards derive from a Discussion paper produced by the Sheep Standards and Guidelines Writing Group in 2013. They refer to UK, NZ and Canadian Standards too.

Clamping or Crushing as they also call it, is ‘dismissed’ as a method that is rarely used because of the skill level required which leads to low success levels if used.

6. Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), as an example of a devolved and influential guideline, refers to the Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Sheep published by ScotGov in 2012. This helpfully describes the amended 1954 Law, which, however, fails to specify any non-blood-restricting methods simply saying that methods of castration that do rely on blood flow restriction to work are limited in use to 7 days of age; those ‘other methods’ to 3 months maximum before a vet and anaesthetic need to be involved.

Remember, our Clip continues working after initial application.

Q. When used as a Tailing device, could crushing the tails offer the possibility of premature tail removal causing other issues ?

A. T he main issue for tailing is haemorrhaging. In theory, once our Clip is applied, the excess tail could be removed immediately (if it were allowed) provided that our Clip cannot be easily pulled off. In practice tails remove themselves with the clip after only a few days with no resulting haemorrhaging. Generally, the sooner the clamp is off after the first few days the quicker the tail will heal.

Q. Do you have an idea of the commercial package to farmers – Clip & Clamper – yet ?

A. T he product designers hold the key to this side of the project. The Clip is basically a simple device designed to work in conjunction with the jaws of the Clamper. It’s costs will depend on the final raw material, the weight of the Clip and any special ingredients in the material mix.

Bio-degradability and anti-bacterial additives for example will add to basic costs. We estimate that Clip unit costs will be between 35 to 50 GB pence depending on volumes and the level of sophistication demanded by the consumers and the industry.

The Clamper as a purely mechanical device, should cost between 100 and 150 GB Pounds per unit.

7. In March 2022 The Scottish Government declared the ClipFitter system legal for castration and tailing of on lambs to 3 months.

October 2022

"The Scottish Government view is that it is permissible to use ClipFitter for castration of lambs up to 3 months old without anaesthetic in Scotland under the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954, provided of course that it is used in a way that does not cause unnecessary suffering.

This is on the understanding that ClipFitter has the same mode of action as the Burdizzo in castrating an animal by instantaneously crushing the nerve supply and blood flow to the testes.

Although ClipFitter also constricts the flow of blood to the skin of the scrotum, this is not the mechanism by which castration is achieved, so ClipFitter does not fall into the category of ‘a rubber ring or other device to constrict the flow of blood to the scrotum’ but is a previously unforeseen alternative method.

A similar argument would apply to tail docking as ClipFitter has a crushing action with a desensitising effect as well as constricting the flow of blood.”

Andrew Voas BVM&S MRCVS Scottish Government Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare 7th March 2022

Project managed and sponsored by

brian@lambkind.co.uk Beechwood, Philiphaugh, Selkirk, Scotland TD7 5LU +44 (0)1750 700029 +44 (0)7802 555115

www.lambkind.co.uk October 2022