The Animal By-Products (Scotland) Regulations 2003 apply controls to the processing and disposal, placing on the market and import from third countries of animal by-products and processed animal by-products. Controlled products include animal carcasses, parts of animal carcasses (including blood) and products of animal origin which are not intended for human consumption but exclude wild animal carcasses.
Permitted disposal routes are –
• rendering
• incineration
• burial, open burning (only allowed within areas designated as remote )
• other Scottish Government/DEFRA approved means of disposal, if appropriate
Exemption - Dead pet animals may still be buried. Pet animals are defined as “any animal belonging to species normally nourished & kept, but not consumed, by humans for purposes other than farming”.
Any burial site must be so that it is not likely to affect any watercourse, field drain or groundwater and should comply with the Code of Practice – “Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity” (available from Scottish Government Rural Directorate). To prevent pollution of water any proposal to bury carcasses should first be discussed with the local SEPA office.
For further information on Disposal of Livestock Carcasses please refer to our current documents section