A decree of January 30th 2014 published on Tuesday on the Official Journal of France specifies that the castration or tail docking of piglets over 7 days old shall only be performed by veterinarians.
This order derives from the Decision no. 347639 of the Council of State of December 11th 2013, that declared illegal that the regulations of the Decree of October 5th 2011 in which farmers and technicians were authorised to castrate or dock the tails of piglets without an age limit.
Tuesday February 25, 2014/ JORF/ France.
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr