Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - Disposal of Animal Carcases.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

241 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 1 May 2001, he can advise when the first phase of a fallen animals collection scheme was put in place by his Department; if the licensed knackeries no longer have to pay to have their product received at the rendering plant; if they pay for product transferred from their own knackery premises to the rendering plant; if not, if that transport is fully paid or subsidised; when he is likely to have the new scheme as outlined in his answer up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13927/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The first phase of the fallen animal collection scheme was put in place on 1 December 2000 when the gate fee was removed for fallen animal material being delivered to dedicated rendering plants by licensed fallen animal collectors. As part of this, the State accepted responsibility for the rendering and destruction of the resultant material. The cost of collection and transport of these animals to the dedicated rendering plant must be met by the collector and is charged commercially to the farmer.

As I have previously stated, the second phase of the scheme involving the application of a subsidy towards on-farm collection charges is currently under negotiation. Discussions have been held with the various interest groups and I am hopeful that this element of the scheme can be implemented at an early date.