Vol. 533 No. 3
144 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reporting procedures required by his Department when cattle deaths are reported to the local district veterinary office; if he has satisfied himself that adequate post-mortem analysis is carried out to identify the cause of death in each case; and the regulations which exist for proper disposal of the dead animals. [8903/01]
When an animal dies on a farm, the owner must notify the Department's CMMS office in Bandon to ensure the death is recorded. As regards the disposal of the carcase, the owner must avail of the services of a licensed knackery operator to take the animal to a dedicated rendering plant for disposal. In certain very limited situations he may apply to his local DVO for a burial licence.
In the case of an application for a burial license, the district veterinary office must be satisfied that there are no disease implications involved. This could in certain cases involve a post mortem analysis. BSE suspects are not eligible for a burial license. The regulations for the disposal of dead animals are set out in the European Communities (Disposal, Processing and Placing on the Market of Animal By-Products) Regulations, 1994 (S.I. No. 257 of 1994).
