Disposal of Fallen Stock
TSE Testing of Fallen Cattle
Rules requiring that cattle over 24 months of age, which have died or been killed on farm other than for human consumption, must be tested for BSE, have been amended in January 2009.
Two significant changes have been introduced:
- the age limit of cattle to be tested will rise to those over 48 months.
- As part of the wider Cost and Responsibility Sharing (RCS) agenda, the free collection and disposal service for adult cattle will end, and livestock keepers will become responsible for the costs associated with the collection, testing and disposal of fallen cattle
Testing of adult cattle has been done at 11 sites under contract with the RPA. This will no longer be the case and any site meeting certain animal health legislative requirements can apply to be approved to undertake this work.
Disposal of Fallen Stock
Fallen stock can no longer be buried or burnt in the open because of the risk of disease spread through groundwater or air pollution. Instead, animals must be taken to/ collected by an approved knacker, hunt kennel, incinerator or renderer, either by private arrangement, or under the National Fallen Stock Scheme (see below).
To ease the transition to industry resuming responsibility for these costs, Defra will make £2m available to the National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo) for one year to assist with the cost of collection and disposal. See here for more details
To locate an approved knacker, hunt kennel, incinerator or renderer contact your local Animal Health Office.
Adult fallen cattle must undergo brainstem testing prior to disposal. Please see the TSE Testing of Fallen Stock Pages which contains information for farmers and site operators on testing and disposal of adult cattle.
National Fallen Stock Scheme
The National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo) was set up in partnership with Government and the farming industry to run a National Fallen Stock Scheme.
NFSCo is a not for profit organisation dedicated to delivering a valued service for the farming community. The Scheme is voluntary, and is designed to assist farmers and horse owners in complying with the Animal-By-Products Regulation by providing a reliable, low cost means of disposal of fallen stock.