Code of Maine Rules
01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY
001 - AGRICULTURE - GENERAL
Chapter 211 - RULES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL CARCASSES
Appendix 001-211-C
Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOOD AND RURAL RESOURCES
CATASTROPHIC ANIMAL CARCASS DISPOSAL
SITE SELECTION PROTOCOL
January 12, 2010
For routine disposal of animal carcasses, site selection is driven primarily by environmental concerns though a number of other factors also come into play such as convenience to the farmer, accessibility during all times of year, option of preference for disposal, aesthetics, interference with farming operations, disease control and site conditions on the farm. Farmers have plenty of time to develop and use a site that meets or can be modified to meet a standard set of conditions. And, the site will be used on a continuing basis for an indefinite time period. In the case of a catastrophe however, the primary driving factor for site selection may be different, depending on the nature of the catastrophe. If the catastrophe is caused by a highly contagious disease such as foot and mouth disease, containing and controlling the disease is of paramount importance. To contain a highly contagious disease, it is necessary to minimize transport distance and time so the diseased animals can be disposed of quickly, effectively and efficiently. There will be no need to worry about interfering with farming operations since the farmer will be out of operation until the farm has been sterilized.
The most viable option for disposing of animals with a highly contagious disease is in most cases by composting them*. Burial is very rarely a viable option in Maine. In order to contain and eliminate the threat of disease spreading, the animals would have to be buried so deep that they would be placed within the groundwater table in almost all of the soils found in Maine. The only cases where disposal of animal carcasses by burial may be a viable option is if the animals die as a result of a fire or other such natural disaster. Disposing of diseased animal carcasses by composting can be done in silage bunkers, manure storage areas, heavy use areas, in open barns or holding areas and even in driveways or parking areas. These are all impermeable areas that need no site preparation and can be easily accessed any time of year, both by the farmer and by others bringing materials (such as hot biosolids compost) for the disposal operation. This does not mean that the other concerns can be ignored; it is just that they are secondary to the primary goal of controlling and containing the spread of disease. Environmental concerns for the one-time use of a composting site are not nearly as great as with burial or a compost site that will be used on a continuing basis. If done properly, the compost (especially if it is hot to start with) will absorb leachate from decomposing carcasses providing protection of the seasonal groundwater table and neighboring streams, wetlands, lakes or ponds. They can therefore, be used in sites with greater limitations than if burial is the option to be used or for routine carcass disposal.
*An exception to this would be a disease such as anthrax which has been shown to be resistant to composting.
Steps to consider when selecting a site for disposal of animal carcasses as the result of a catastrophe (including highly contagious disease):
1. The site(s) should be as near to the barn housing the animals as possible/practical. A single farm may need more than one site if animals are housed in different locations (such as milking cows in one area and replacement cows in another that is a distance away). The site(s) must be large enough to accommodate the composting of all of the animals in a barn by the windrow method (maximum of 15 feet wide) with large animals (cows or horses) being piled only one carcass high. This minimizes leachate production from the composting process lessening the need for concern with environmental issues.
2. Look at environmental issues such as setbacks from waterbodies, depth to groundwater and/or bedrock, wells, property lines, roads, and buildings. Maximize setbacks from sensitive features while meeting the primary site location objective of being easily and quickly accessible to the carcasses. Keep in mind that these sites will likely only be used once and composting (done properly and in accordance to MDOA composting guidelines) does not generate much leachate. You can also select a site or sites that would not be considered for routine disposal such as heavy use areas, empty silage bunkers, empty manure storages, parking areas, driveways or farm roads.
3. Consider site conditions. Pick areas that have the best potential for a successful composting operation. Sites with a slight slope work best and they should have moderately well to well drained soils that are moderately deep or greater to bedrock. It is preferable however to select a site with soil and/or slope limitations near the barns that can be easily modified than to select a site with better site conditions but which is a distance away from the barns.
4. Aesthetics should also be considered but only after considering all of the other issues listed in 1-3 above. The animals will only be composting for a few months and after which the compost will become a good soil amendment that can be spread on the farmers fields.
5. Alternate sites may be located in the event of a catastrophic event that does not result in the shutting down of all farming operations. This could include a fire that destroys one building but not all that house animals or contaminated feed that kills a number of animals but does not create a biosecurity threat. It could also include the suffocation of a flock of chickens in a house but does not harm the building.
