Best Management Practices - Carcass Disposal
Minnesota Board of Animal Health
GENERAL OVERVIEW:
There are always losses (mortality) in animal production. Proper disposal of carcasses is important both to prevent livestock disease transmission, and to protect air and water quality. This document provides options for disposal with associated advantages, disadvantages and rule requirements.
Carcass Disposal is Regulated by: *
- Minnesota Statutes 35.82
- Minnesota Board of Animal Health Rules - 1719.0100 - 1719.4600
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Rules
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Rules
* These are summarized in the following Best Management Practices.
Legal Methods of Disposal (As of January 1996)
| SPECIES |
METHOD |
| BURY |
INCINERATE |
RENDER |
COMPOST |
EXEMPT BY LAW |
FUR FARM CONSUMPTION |
PET FOOD |
| Poultry |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
| Swine |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
| Cattle |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
Yes |
Yes |
| Horses |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| Yes |
Yes |
| Sheep/goats |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes* |
Yes |
|
| Yes |
| HouseholdPets |
|
|
|
| Yes |
|
|
| Wild Anim. |
|
|
|
| Yes |
|
|
Game Farm/
Exotic Anim. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
* Allowed by Law, but at this time Minnesota renderers will not process sheep or goats.
- Definition of Carcass:
- The body or a part of a domestic animal or fowl that has died or has been killed otherwise than by being slaughtered for human or animal consumption.
- Definition of Discarded Animal Parts:
- All or a part of animals, fish, or poultry that have been killed for human or animal consumption and not used for that purpose.
GENERAL RULE SUMMARY:
- Carcass must be disposed of as soon as reasonably possible, ie; within 48-72 hours.
- Burying a carcass requires that the carcass be 5 feet above the high water level and covered with 3 feet of dirt. Sandy or gravelly areas or areas within 10 feet of bedrock should be avoided.
- Incineration must be in an incinerator that is approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
- Hauling over the road. Carcasses or discarded animal parts must be in vehicles or containers that are leakproof and covered. The vehicles also need to be inspected and have a permit, unless the vehicle belongs to the owner of the animal before it died.
- Composting must use the protocol set forth in Board rules. These are explained on the page about composting.
- Fur farms need a permit and inspected vehicle to haul carcasses or discarded animal parts over the road.
- Each carcass used as pet food must pass an inspection by a veterinarian and must be processed under clean and sanitary conditions.
- Carcasses left at an off-site pickup point must be in an animal-proof enclosed area that is at least 200 yards from a neighbor's buildings. Carcasses must be picked up within 72 hours, except if the enclosed area is refrigerated to less than 45ƒ F, the carcasses must be picked up within 7 days.
References for more information
- Extension Service - University of Minnesota
Dr. Sally Noll - (612) 624-4928
- Minnesota Board of Animal Health
Dr. Bill Hartmann - (612) 296-2942
[GENERAL OVERVIEW] [COMPOSTING] [INCINERATION] [BURIAL] [RENDERING] [ALTERNATIVE METHODS]