Farming

Farming: Fallen stock

Fallen stock can no longer be buried or burnt in the open because of the risk of disease spread through groundwater or air pollution. Instead, animals must be taken to/collected by an approved knacker, hunt kennel, incinerator or renderer either by private arrangement, or under the National Fallen Stock Scheme. 

To locate an approved knacker, hunt kennel, incinerator or renderer contact your Animal Health Divisional Office. You can also see Defra’s list of approved animal by-products premises.

See below for further details on:

  • the National Fallen Stock Scheme
  • exceptions to the ban
  • on-farm incineration
  • legislation

Fallen stock should be kept in a place where other animals cannot gain access to them, to prevent the spread of disease. Storing them in a secure building or in an area away from livestock under a suitable cover, such as a tarpaulin, should be adequate in most cases.

If you think an animal has died of a notifiable disease, you must report it immediately to your Animal Health Divisional Office, and keep the carcass for inspection.

National Fallen Stock Scheme

The National Fallen Stock Scheme enables you to send livestock which have either died of natural causes or been put down by a vet due to illness, to an approved premises in your area at a cost subsidised by Government.

To join the National Fallen Stock Scheme you will need to register single or multiple collection points with the National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo). You then select a collector and fallen stock will be collected, usually within 48 hours of notification.

Annual rates for the collection scheme are currently £18 + VAT, (additional collection points can be registered at £20 + VAT) plus individual pick-up costs agreed with the collector. These individual rates are currently 10% subsidised by the Government. The subsidy is due to cease in November 2008.

Animals such as unwanted bull calves, cull cows or spent hens are not eligible for the subsidised scheme, although it may be possible to arrange collection at the unsubsidised rate.

For further details about joining the scheme either visit the NFSCo website or telephone NFSCo on 0845 054 8888.

Exceptions to the ban on burial or burning

The only exceptions from the ban on burial or burning of fallen stock in the UK are for remote areas (parts of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, the Scilly Isles and Lundy Island in England, & Bardsey Island and Caldy Island in Wales) and during outbreaks of notifiable disease if there were a lack of capacity at rendering plants and incinerators, or if transport of the carcasses would spread disease.

Any burial or burning of an animal must first be approved by Animal Health or local Trading Standards Department.   

On farm incineration

Farmers can install their own incinerator, which must be approved by Animal Health. To obtain an application form, contact your Animal Health Divisional Office.

You must also register an exemption from waste management licensing requirements with the Environment Agency.

If you intend to install an incinerator designed for, or to be operated at a throuput of more than 50 kg/hour, you must first get approval from your local authority's Environmental Health Department.

Advice about siting, choosing, installing and running incinerators can be obtained from the Environment Agency. More information is also available in the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice.

Further information on incinerators see the animal by-products section of Defra’s website or email animal-by-products@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

Legislation

The handling and disposal of fallen stock or animal by-products must meet the requirements of the Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002.

UK legislation relating to the collection, transport, storage, handling, processing, use, and disposal of animal carcasses or by-products are as follows:

The Local Authorities and the State Veterinary Service are the principal enforcing authorities, although the Environment Agency also regulate some elements of carcass disposal.

Useful links

Further Information

  • Defra Helpline - 08459 33 55 77
  • Environment Agency - 08708 506 506
  • National Fallen Stock Company 0845 054 8888

Page last modified: 9 September 2008
Page published: 1 July 2006

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs