§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the backlog of animal carcases awaiting incineration; and what action the Government are taking under the Over Thirty Months Scheme to expedite the processing. [21497]
375W
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 18 December 1997]: There is no backlog of the Over Thirty Months Scheme (OTMS) carcases awaiting incineration. On average 15,000 animals a week are presented for the scheme, of which around 1,500 cattle, mostly on-farm casualties, are directly incinerated in appropriately authorised incinerators. The remainder are rendered and the remains securely stored pending disposal. Following a tender held last year, the amount of direct carcase incineration capacity available to the scheme is expected to increase to around 5,000 animals a week by spring 1998, subject to the successful companies obtaining the necessary planning and environmental consents. Much of this increase will be in respect of incinerators that are associated with scheme abattoirs, thus providing an integrated disposal solution.