Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 3

Written Answers. - Composting Process.

Denis Naughten

Question:

123 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the measures he is taking to monitor composting processes which use material of animal origin which could potentially carry the foot and mouth virus; if he is satisfied that such operations will not have the potential to spread the disease; if his Department has discussed the matter with the expert veterinary group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16241/01]

Denis Naughten

Question:

124 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans he has to introduce additional safeguards to ensure composting processes which use materials of animal origin and which could potentially carry the foot and mouth virus, are using a process which will not give rise to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease; if he is satisfied that the half open shed composting process provides such protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16242/01]

Denis Naughten

Question:

125 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans he has to introduce planning guidelines to ensure composting processes which use materials of animal origin which could potentially carry the foot and mouth virus, are using a process which will not give rise to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease; if he is satisfied that the half open shed composting process provides such protection. [16243/01]

Denis Naughten

Question:

131 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the measures he is taking to monitor composting processes which use material of animal origin which could potentially carry the foot and mouth virus; if he is satisfied that such operations will not have the potential to spread the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16240/01]

Denis Naughten

Question:

132 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the current process used for the disposal of belly grass in view of the foot and mouth crisis; if the expert veterinary group has recommended any precautions which should be taken in the handling and disposal of belly grass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16244/01]

Denis Naughten

Question:

133 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the position of his Department and the expert veterinary group on the use of belly grass in a half open composting shed process; if his attention has been drawn to the restrictions which the United Kingdom Ministry has put on such processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16245/01]

Denis Naughten

Question:

134 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the position of his Department and the expert veterinary group on the use of catering waste in a half open composting shed process; if his attention has been drawn to the restrictions which the United Kingdom Ministry has put on such processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16246/01]

Denis Naughten

Question:

135 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the position of his Department and the expert veterinary group on the use of domestic organic waste of animal origin in a half open composting shed process; if his attention has been drawn to the restrictions which the United Kingdom Ministry has put on such processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16247/01]

Denis Naughten

Question:

136 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the position of his Department and the expert veterinary group on the disposal of domestic organic waste of animal origin in a half open composting shed process; if his attention has been drawn to the restrictions which the United Kingdom Ministry has introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16248/01]

Denis Naughten

Question:

137 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the position of his Department and the expert veterinary group on the disposal of catering waste in a half open composting shed process; if his attention has been drawn to the restrictions which the United Kingdom Ministry has introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16249/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 to 125, inclusive, and 131 to 137, inclusive, together.

The procedures for the disposal off-site of all waste or left over material including belly grass from meat processing and all land spreading activities associated with such enterprises, must be undertaken in accordance with a specific nutrient management plan which is provided for under the terms of an integrated pollution control licence. These licences are issued and controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency and the disposal and treatment of all waste may only take place in accordance with the provisions of licences and with the agreement of the EPA.

The disposal of material of animal origin would fall under swill controls administered by my Department. The Diseases of Animals (Feeding and Use of Swill) Orders, 1985, 1987 and 2001 provide for comprehensive controls on swill as a protective measure against the introduction or spread of disease. In particular, swill processing premises are required to be registered and hygiene and production standards for the transport and processing of swill are established. The feeding of raw swill or swill derived from aircraft, ships or offshore installations is prohibited. In addition, I made orders earlier this year in the context of the FMD situation, the effect of which are to prohibit the collection and feeding of specified material to animals. This ban encompasses the feeding of domestic, restaurant and other catering waste to all live animals.

Swill includes any carcase – in this context carcase means the carcase of an animal or bird and includes meat, bones, hide, blood, skin, pelt, hair, fur, wool, feathers, hooves, horns offal or other part; any product derived therefrom or any hatchery waste or eggs or egg shells; any broken or waste foodstuff including table or kitchen refuse, scraps of waste whether or not such foodstuff contains, or has been in contact with, any carcase or part thereof; any waste product of the slaughtering or processing of any animal or poultry where such waste product is derived from such animal or poultry; any other thing, whether such thing has been heated or dried or otherwise treated, consisting of or containing any matter mentioned above; and any other material of animal or poultry origin.

I have been advised by the EPA that composting of animal derived material would not be permitted. Such material would have to be treated as swill, as mentioned previously, or disposed of by landfill as incineration is not yet an option.

I would also point out that local authorities have instructions in relation to these matters as the delegated competent authorities in regions charged with waste disposal management.