Animal by-products (ABPs) are animal carcases, parts of carcases and other animal by-products that are not intended for human consumption. This includes:
- catering waste
- used cooking oil
- former foodstuffs
- butcher and slaughterhouse waste
- blood
- feathers
- wool
- hides and skins
- fallen stock
- pet animals
- zoo and circus animals
- hunt trophies
- manure
Animal by-products are a potential source of risks to public and animal health. For example improper use of animal by-products has resulted in outbreaks of serious diseases such as foot and mouth disease, classical swine fever, avian influenza and the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Legislation has been in place for many years to control these risks by setting out the rules for collection, storage, transport, treatment, use and disposal of animal by-products. Animal by-products are divided into three categories according to their level of risk. For information on categories, see our web pages on the categorisation of animal by-products.
The legislation has been reviewed with the introduction of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009 and Regulation (EU) 142/2011 which replaced Regulation (EC) 1774/2002 on 4 March 2011. The EU Regulations are enforced through the:
- Animal by-Products (Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2011 (as amended)
- Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (as amended)
- Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (No.2) (Wales) Regulations 2011
Many composting or anaerobic digestion plants will be designed to accept animal by-products (ABPs) and / or catering waste. The facility will therefore need to meet the requirements of AHVLA. We have completed this work for a number of composting operations included GP Plantscape and Gray Composting Services Ltd. If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact us.