Written answers

Tuesday, 24 September 2019

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fallen Animal Collection Scheme

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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386. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on animal waste mileage limits (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38268/19]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has not placed any mileage limits on the transport of offal from factories or on the transport of offal to rendering plants in Northern Ireland.

A mileage limit applies only to fallen animals over 48 months under the Fallen Animal TSE Subsidy Scheme. 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.

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

Safeguards are in place in the scheme rules to support competition. Under these arrangements, each animal collector may choose from at least two rendering companies for the disposal of over 48-month animals. The limit on distance for material only applies to fallen animals over 48-months and the Department does not subject fallen animals under 48-months or other non-scheme material to any distance limits. Animal collectors can deliver fallen animals under 48-months and non-scheme material to any of the rendering companies, including those in Northern Ireland.

Animal collectors can also deliver offal to any of the rendering companies, including those in Northern Ireland, without limit restrictions.

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