Carcase disposal

It is important that carcases are disposed of properly and promptly. Apart from the obvious environmental, public health and disease implications, this is often also a legal requirement. It is recommended to have a carcase disposal procedure in place before killing any animal, although it is recognised that this may not be possible in the case of an emergency. Remember that if a large animal is killed in a confined space, such as a stable, the carcase must be removed promptly. If left for too long it will go into rigor mortis and will be difficult to remove.

Depending on the circumstances, the options for carcase disposal may include:

• Transport to an abattoir, making sure to comply with any relevant food hygiene legislation
• Collection by or delivery to a knackerman for disposal
• Collection by or delivery to a licensed incinerator
• On-farm incineration
• On-farm burial

Check with your local authority before proceeding to dispose of any carcases using any of these methods. Legislation regarding carcase disposal varies between countries and operators should take care to ensure that they comply with relevant laws.