Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 580: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the measures he will take to reduce the costs associated with the disposal of fallen animals by the knackeries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29491/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The disposal of fallen animals is subject to Regulation (EC) No 1774 of 2002. Under this Regulation, animals which die on-farm must generally be disposed of through approved intermediate plants (knackeries) and rendering plants. While my Department's contribution to the Fallen Animals Scheme in general ceased with effect from 14th April 2009, I have continued to provide financial support for the collection of certain fallen animals, in particular bovines over 48 months of age, for sampling, as required under the ongoing national TSE surveillance programme. With the ending of the Fallen Animals Scheme the cost of collection and rendering for animals not covered by the new scheme became a matter for negotiation between individual collectors/rendering plants and their customers.

My Department is continuing, within the boundaries of legal requirements, to make every effort to facilitate measures to maximise flexibility and enable reduction in the costs associated with the disposal of fallen animals. This includes allowing cross border trade, permitting direct delivery by farmers to authorised plants and encouraging indigenous use of meat and bone meal (MBM) for energy purposes. Approval conditions have been drawn up to facilitate the collection of fallen animals direct from farms by approved rendering plants, including arrangements to provide for TSE testing of these animals where required. Discussions are also continuing between my Department and farmer and hunt representatives, to consider the feasibility of extending the network of plants authorised to act as knackeries.