Donal Carey
Question:224 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he will be introducing a State backed collection service for casualty cattle. [16765/01]
Written Answers. - Disposal of Animal Carcases.
The first phase of the fallen animal collection scheme was introduced on 1 December 2000 when the gate fee was removed for fallen animal material delivered to dedicated rendering plants and the State undertook the full cost of rendering and destruction of the final product. Prior to that the entry to the dedicated rendering plant had been permitted at a rate substantially lower than the existing commercial charge. The first phase of the scheme has proven successful and has resulted in a substantial increase in the volume of fallen animal material delivered to rendering plants. Additional further rendering facilities have now been approved to process fallen animal material and this will contribute to maximising the efficiency of the collection service.
The second phase of the scheme has involved detailed negotiations with various interested groups, including farmers representatives and animal collectors, to agree a subsidised collection charge at farm level. These negotiations are at an advanced stage. In addition, the issue of extending the fallen animal service to include other species has been raised and is being actively considered. It is my intention to introduce the last stage of the scheme involving a further subsidised collection service at farm level in the very near future.