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366. Mutilations can cause considerable pain and therefore constitute a major welfare insult to farm animals. We consider that mutilations are undesirable in principle and farmers should carefully consider the necessity to perform any mutilations on cattle. However, we recognise that there are farming systems where such procedures may be necessary to avoid worse welfare problems. In this study we have considered castration, disbudding, dehorning, removal of supernumerary teats and identification by tagging. If the operations are performed they must be carried out in a manner which minimises pain and distress to the animal. High standards of hygiene are essential.