Animal carcases

Farm animal carcases can no longer be buried or burnt in the open because of the risk of disease spread through groundwater or air pollution. The Animal by Products Regulations require dead farm animals to be taken to or collected by an approved knacker yard, hunt kennel, incinerator or renderer, either by private arrangement, or under the National Fallen Stock Scheme.

National Fallen Stock Scheme

The National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo) was set up in partnership with Government and the farming industry. NFSCo is a non 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.

You can visit the National Fallen Stock Scheme website here.

Animal by-products commercial movement document

Records must be completed when transporting animal by-products (livestock carcasses/parts of livestock carcasses which may have died on your premises)

A commercial document must accompany the animal by-products during the journey to the disposal premises. The document must be produced in triplicate; the receiver retains the original; the producer and the transporter also keep a copy. The commercial document must specify:

1. The date the material was moved
2. A description of the material and the category description (ear tag number if applicable)
3. The quantity of material
4. The place of origin of material
5. The name and address of the carrier, and
6. The name and address of the receiver and the approval number (if applicable).

Records must be retained for 2 years.

Deceased Pets

Deceased pets are classed as animal by products. However, the Government has applied a derogation to permit the burial of dead pet animals.

Should you require any further information please refer to the DEFRA website at www.defra.gov.uk or by calling the DEFRA helpline on 08459 33 55 77.