Vol. 407 No. 9
119 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the regulations for the disposal of the carcases of farm animals; and if he has satisfied himself that public health is not being jeopardised by their disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Diseases of Animals Act, 1966, prohibits the dumping into any river or other water or into the sea of the carcase of any animal or bird which has died of any of the diseases specified in the Act. The Diseases of Animals (Feeding and Use of Swill) Orders, 1985 and 1987 prohibit the disposal of an untreated carcase in such manner that livestock have access to it. The Control of Dogs Act, 1986, prohibits leaving a carcase unburied in a field or place to which a dog can gain access.
I am satisfied that public health is not endangered at the present time by the disposal of animal carcases.
A recently adopted EC Directive lays down animal and public health requirements for the disposal and/or processing of animal waste including carcases. The Directive envisages that such material shall be either heat treated or processed for use as animal feeding stuff, burned or buried.
