In 5 cattle fattening farms with 900 to 3000 bulls tail docking was pr
actised prophylactically in consequence of losses due to tail necrosis
. Following detailed consultations in the farms temporary exceptional
permissions of the ban of amputation according to article 6 of the Ger
man Animal Welfare Law was given to 4 of the 5 farms, associated with
real instructions to improve the housing conditions. By that means com
munication between farmer and veterinary authority was intensified and
the contrariety between legislation and practice was pointed out clea
rly. The farmers were concerned with consequences of the ban of tail d
ocking intensively. A process of understanding began, resulting in ren
unciation of prophylactical tail docking in 4 of the 5 farms.