§ Huw Irranca-DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment has been made of the cost-effectiveness of the new proposals for fallen stock collection compared with traditional methods of disposal, with particular reference to disposal of carcases through locally based incineration; [120950]
(2) what plans the Government has to incorporate existing local operators of fallen stock disposal facilities in the new scheme; [120951]
(3) where the facilities for collection and disposal of carcasses under the fallen stock scheme devised in response to the EU Animals By-product Regulations are based. [121081]
§ Mr. BradshawIn light of the low response rate from livestock farmers to the letter inviting interest in a national scheme, the Government are now considering whether the scheme should go ahead, and if so in what form.
The Department has not made any specific assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the proposed national fallen stock scheme against existing collection/disposal routes such as incineration.
However, the industry estimate that with full utilisation of the scheme economies of scale would mean the costs of carcase collection could be 40 per cent. lower than is currently the case for adult cattle, and 60 per cent. lower than for adult sheep.
The proposed national fallen stock collection and disposal scheme would be open to existing approved collection/disposal facilities, such as knackers' yards, hunt kennels, incinerators and rendering plants, although other operators could, provided they comply with the relevant legislation, also participate in such a scheme.
Officials have arranged for a list of those premises which are currently approved by the Department to collect/dispose of animal by-products such as Fallen Stock, to be placed in the Library of the House.
Note:
Not all Hunt Kennels collect and/or dispose of Fallen Stock.