Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 2, February 2024
I.
Definitions. As used in this
rule:
"State Animal Health Official" means the State Veterinarian or
designee.
"Incineration" means the destruction of animal carcass soft tissue and
most of the hard tissue by means of controlled combustion.
"Composting" means the natural biological degradation of plant and
animal matter in a controlled, well aerated system. Composting for disposal
should contain carcasses, a carbon source and moister in order to reach
temperatures that will destroy pathogenic organisms.
"Rendering" means to process mortality by machinery, device or system
designed and operated for the purpose of making an animal feed or feed
supplement from animal carcasses or parts.
"Burial" means to dispose of mortality by covering carcasses with soil;
either by placing carcasses in an excavated area or on the soil surface.
"On Farm freezing" means to dispose of poultry mortality by placing
carcasses in a leak proof freezer unit capable of maintaining a subfreezing
temperature for the duration of the flock or when the unit is full.
"Carbon Source" means a biodegradable material used to aid in the
decomposition process of mortality which includes but not limited to wood
shavings, sawdust, hay and rice hulls.
"Catastrophic mortality" means an event where a large number of animals
die, other than from a reportable disease, and the normal method of disposal is
inadequate.
"Large animal" means cattle, horses, domesticated swine, sheep, goats,
cervidae, bison, llamas, alpacas, ostriches, emus, rheas, and other native or
nonnative animals, excluding dogs, cats, and feral hogs.
"Poultry" means a class of domesticated fowl (birds) farmed for their
meat or eggs which include but not limited chickens, turkeys and ducks.
II
DISPOSAL OF LARGE ANIMAL
CARCASSES
A. Large animal carcasses
must be disposed of in the following manner unless specified directly by the
State Animal Health Official.
1. Rendering.
Large animal carcasses may be submitted to a rendering facility in a
sealed vehicle that does not allow drainage while being moved.
2. Burial
Carcasses may be buried at a site at least 100 yards away from a well
and in a place where a stream cannot be contaminated. Carcasses may be covered
with lime, particularly when needed to control odors. All carcasses are to be
covered with at least 2 feet of soil. Carcasses are not to be buried in a
landfill, without prior approval of the State Animal Health Official or
Director of the Livestock and Poultry Commission.
Anthrax carcasses should be sited as far as possible (at least 100
yards) from a well or water source and disposed of by incineration. The burn
site should be acidified and then buried under 2 feet of soil.
3. Composting
Carcasses or portions of carcasses may be composted in compliance with
the following guidelines.
a. General
Requirements
(1) The composting process must
be managed at all times to be practically odorless, prevent fly larvae
development, prevent animal depredation and stop leaching of waste material
thereby becoming a source of water/soil contamination.
(2) The carcass(es) must be reduced to
brittle/easily broken bone.
(3) A
minimal temperature of 130 F and a minimal 110 F maintenance temperature must
be achieved during the composting process to where the finished product is
pathogen free.
b.
Composting - Exposed to Weather
(1) Compost
material (carbon source such as sawdust, hay, etc.) may not contain manure if
exposed to rain or water.
(2) The
carcass(es) must be placed on at least a 24-inch-thick pad of compost material
that is large enough so that when the carcass(es) is placed there it will be at
least 24 inches from the carcass(es) to the edge of the pad.
(3) A layer of compost material that
completely covers the carcass(es) and is at least 24 inches thick must be
maintained throughout the composting process.
c. Composting - Protected from Weather
Compost material (carbon source such as saw dust, hay etc.) may contain
manure.
d. Composting must
be done in a bin(s) that has a concrete floor to provide an all-weather base,
roof to exclude excess moisture and rot resistant bin construction to support
the compost material and withstand stresses applied by tractor
loader.
e. Carcass(es) must be
placed in the compost bin on at least a 12 inch thick base pad of compost
material and carcass(es) cannot be placed within 8 inches of the sides, front
or rear of the compost bin.
f. A
layer of compost material that completely covers the carcass(es) must be
maintained throughout the composting process.
4. Incineration (burning)
Incineration or open burning may be used as long as carcass is reduced
to ash.
B. Other
disposal issues
1. This rule does not apply
to any animal products meant for human consumption.
2. If carcasses or parts are handled or
transported off-site the carcass or product must be in a sealed vehicle or
leak-proof containers. Carcasses must be covered by a tarp or other materials
when transported.
3. Large animal
carcasses found on Public roadways where proof of ownership is unknown, shall
be disposed of in the most practical manner to prevent a public health
problem.
III.
DISPOSAL OF POULTRY CARCASSES
A.
Acceptable Methods
1. Incineration
When used for the purpose of carcass disposal, the carcass must be
reduced to ash.
2.
Composting
a. The composting process must be
managed at all times to be practically odorless, prevent fly larvae
development, prevent animal depredation and stop leaching of waste material
thereby becoming a source of water/soil contamination.
b. The carcass(es) must be reduced to
brittle/easily broken bone and feathers.
c. A temperature must be achieved during the
composting process to reduce pathogen load.
3. On-Farm Freezing
a. Carcasses will be frozen to a solid state
before being removed from the farm.
b. Frozen carcasses will be placed in a
container that will not leak when thawing begins.
c. Frozen carcasses will be transported from
the farm in a sealed, leak-proof vehicle.
4. Rendering
a. Carcasses may be submitted to a rendering
facility in a sealed vehicle that does not allow drainage while being
moved.
b. All requirements of
Section III. B. 2 must be followed.
B. Other Poultry Carcass Disposal Issues
1. Catastrophic Event (not including when
mortality is caused by a reportable disease.)
a. On-site burial may be used. The trench
must be 2 to 4 feet deep and the carcasses covered by at least 2 feet of soil.
Lime may be used to control odor if needed.
b. Permit required from the Arkansas
Livestock and Poultry Division.
2. Transport of Carcasses from Farm
a. If carcasses or parts are handled or
transported off-site, they must be in a sealed vehicle or leak-proof
containers. Carcasses must be covered by a tarp or other materials when
transported.
b. May be cancelled in
cases of reportable disease incidents, or when the State Animal Health Official
deems necessary to stop disease spread.
c. Permit required from Arkansas Livestock
and Poultry Division.
IV. Any further exemptions from this rule
must be approved in writing by the State Animal Health Official.
V.
AUTHORITY
A.C.A. §
2-33-107(c);
A.C.A. §
2-40-403, 404;
A.C.A. §
2-40-1302(a)(1)
