Vol. 509 No. 4
191 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the collection fee for fallen animals is costing some farmers £60 per head and that renderers have dramatically increased their charge for offal from £40 per tonne to £70 per tonne; and the national strategy plan, if any, he has to deal with the disposal of animal offal. [20681/99]
I am aware of the difficulties arising for farmers as a result of increased charges for the collection of fallen animals. The increase resulted from a downturn in the international market for meat and bonemeal and as a result, the rendering plants imposed higher charges on fallen animal collectors.
The meat and bonemeal market is showing signs of recovery in recent weeks and I would expect this to be reflected in the prices charged by renderers. I appreciate the importance of the fallen animal collection service within the wider context of the livestock sector and deem reasonable charges for collectors and farmers alike to be of great importance in this context.
