Vol. 524 No. 5
222 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the procedure to be followed for the disposal of an animal which has been diagnosed with BSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22936/00]
There are no incineration facilities available in this country and currently there is no alternative to the disposal of BSE suspect animals other than by burial on the farm of origin under licence. Many BSE suspect animals which are sampled are subsequently found not to have been affected by BSE.
Strict conditions apply to the granting of burial licences which include a requirement that the burial site is sufficiently deep, that the site is suitable so as to prevent contamination of ground water and water courses. In all cases the carcase is disinfected prior to burial and the burial pit is lined and treated with quicklime to accelerate decomposition.
