New rules for by-products (From Gazette & Herald)

New rules for by-products

DEFRA is inviting view on draft legislation for new controls on animal by-products to apply from May 1.

The EU regulations will tighten the rules on the processing, use, disposal, trade and import of animal by-products

(animal carcasses, parts of carcasses and products of animal origin which are not intended for human consumption). In particular, the regulation will:

ban the routine burial of fallen stock;

allow the treatment of animal by-products in approved composting or biogas plants;

maintain the existing UK ban on feeding swill;

introduce controls on animal carcass incinerators;

require the treatment of previously uncontrolled animal by-products such as blood and feathers.

Interested parties have until March 21 to respond. The consultation document is at

www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/current.htm.

Updated: 11:07 Wednesday, February 12, 2003