Vol. 533 No. 6
158 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the implications for landfill sites of the disposal of slaughtered animals rendered down due to the foot and mouth disease; the landfills which will be used for such disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9436/01]
It is not intended that the rendered carcases of animals slaughtered as a precautionary measure against foot and mouth disease will be buried in landfill sites. The output of the rendering process will be exported for incineration. In any event the rendering process is more than sufficient to kill the foot and mouth virus.
However, the carcases of animals slaughtered on the infected farm in Proleek, County Louth, and those slaughtered as a precautionary measure in the Piedmont case were deep buried in quicklime on farm, in consultation with the county engineer, in conditions calculated to present the least risk of spreading foot and mouth disease.
These sites will be monitored and I can assure the Deputy that I will adhere to the best veterinary advice in this regard and that every precaution will be taken to ensure that no further risk remains.
I would also refer to the 1968 UK inquiry report on foot and mouth disease which concluded that burial was preferable to cremation as a precaution to prevent the spread of the disease.
159 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 20 March 2001, the humane killers referred to are captive bolt pistols; and if additional measures, such as pithing, are taken to ensure death. [9500/01]
Animals slaughtered on farms in County Louth during the foot and mouth disease crisis were slaughtered by captive bolt and pithing at the earlier stages of the cull and by lethal injection in young lambs. Live bullets have been used by Army personnel in areas where wild goats and deer are difficult to round up for slaughter.
