Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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159. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to removing or amending the maximum travel distance of 125km on offal in view of the fact that other toxic and chemical waste can be transported to mainland Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9872/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Fallen Animal TSE Subsidy Scheme is an integral part of the infrastructure underpinning Ireland’s successful livestock and meat processing industries, which have an estimated combined export value of €3 billion annually. The Scheme ensures primarily that fallen bovine animals over 48 months, which must be BSE-tested in accordance with EU legislation, are disposed of in compliance with all animal and public health and environmental regulations.

An operator is free to dispose of animals not eligible under the Fallen Animal TSE Subsidy Scheme to a licensed plant of his choice and the arrangements made are a commercial matter between them.

A review of the Fallen Animal TSE Subsidy Scheme was undertaken in 2013, in consultation with stakeholders. This review took into account a number of factors, including budgetary considerations, TSE testing requirements, Animal By-Product (ABP) regulations, the need to maintain competition and the need for an adequate collection and disposal infrastructure. The importance of having adequate rendering capacity especially in the event of a serious (Class A) disease outbreak was given high priority in the review of the Scheme.

A number of changes were introduced to the collection of fallen animals in 2013. Those included enhanced compliance provisions and putting limits on the distance material can be transported while maintaining a competitive aspect to the market.

Under the terms of the scheme the haulage distance for material to which the scheme applies from the intermediate plant (knackery) to rendering plant shall not exceed 125kms radius unless with the prior approval of my Department. The scheme also provides that, where there are not two or more rendering premises inside 125kms radius from the intermediate plant, then delivery is permitted to either of the two nearest rendering premises as measured by road.

The transport of other hazardous toxic or chemical waste is not supported under this scheme.