Composting and the Animal By-products Regulations (ABPR) See our ABPR Research Paper here.
What are the Animal By-products Regulations?
These regulations tightened the rules on the processing, use, disposal, trade and import of animal by-products, after the devastating effects of Foot & Mouth Disease (especially in the UK), in the preceding years.
The measures which these regulations enforce are very important to prevent the spread of diseases like foot and mouth. Especially, when one considers the huge cost and disruption to the UK agricultural industry caused by the measures necessary in the early 2000s to eradicate Foot & Mouth disease from the UK.
It is hoped that these regulations will mean that such outbreaks are never repeated.
The Animal By-products Regulations (ABPR) were adopted on 3rd October 2002, and have also been implemented in all EU Member States since May 2003.
How are these Regulations Implemented?
In the UK, national regulations have been implemented in order to provide enforcement powers for the competent authorities delegated to implement the regulations. Separate regulations have been be produced for England, Scotland and for Wales; for England this has been published since (July 2003) download it from the DEFRA website here.
For Scotland click here.
NB: Sometimes people still refer to the Animal By-products Order (ABPO). The ABPO was purely an interim provision until such time as the new regulations could be drafted and brought into use. The provisions of the Animal By-products Order 1999 no longer apply, and have been replaced by the ABPR).
Composting Facility Compliance with the Animal By-products Regulations (England)
The Animal By-products Regulations are administered by Vets, and compliance by provision of a plant licence is essential for all compost plant operators who compost material which may contain, or is known to contain, Animal By-products.
Further guidance is also available at www.Defra.gov.uk/animalh/by-prods.
Of particular interest may be the DEFRA FAQ page http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/by-prods/FormerFoodstuffs/FAQ.htm .
Summer 2005: EC guidance issued on ABPR
The European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection has just issued 'Guidance on applying the new Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002'.
This document clarifies such issues under the European Regulation as:
- the definition of catering waste
- the definition of fish
- disposal of raw meat and raw fish
- disposal of "former foodstuffs of animal origin"
- alternative disposal processes, equipment and systems for ABP.
The document may be found here.
The Compost@Enviros team are experienced in assisting compost plant operators to obtain ABPR compliance, and in designing ABPR compliant compost plants.
Contact Us if you think that we may be able assist you with your ABPR compliance.
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