The requirements for the handling and disposal of animal by-products, including meat and bonemeal, are set out in EU Regulation 1774/2002. The regulations, which are applicable in each member state, specify approved processing methods for sterilising meat and bone meal.
In Ireland, the approved processing method used to produce and sterilise meat and bone meal is the highest provided for by the regulations and involves the rendering of animal by-products at 133° celsius at 3 bars of pressure for 20 minutes. The processing of animal by-products, including rendering into meat and bonemeal is carried out at approved plants under the control of the veterinary inspectorate of my Department.
The production of animal by-products and, in turn, of meat and bonemeal is a necessary part of a livestock and meat processing industry. In the absence of any domestic facility for using this product either in industry or energy production, it must be exported for incineration to other EU countries. Currently, meat and bonemeal is exported for disposal by incineration or co-incineration in sealed container to approved premises in the United Kingdom or Germany. At present, approximately 191,000 tonnes of meat and bonemeal is held in approved stores throughout the country.