Fallen Animals Responsibility Rests with Minister
IRELAND - Irish livestock farmers have called on the Irish agriculture minister to ensure rules ands regulations are adhered to to allow full competition over the question of disposal of fallen animals.
21 April 2009
1 minute read
The Irish Farmers Association Deputy President Derek Deane said there is room for significant cost reduction in the disposal of fallen animals.
However, he added that this can only be achieved by breaking the cartel that currently exists in the collection and rendering of fallen animals by providing real competition.
Speaking ahead of a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture on Wednesday, Mr Deane said responsibility lies with Brendan Smith to ensure that the rules and regulations allow full competition, so that cost-effective disposal methods are made available to farmers.
"The Minister must allow for direct delivery to hunts, kennels and rendering plants to break the stranglehold knackeries have in the current system. In remote areas, there must be provision for the burial of fallen animals under licence in suitable, designated sites," he said.
"Following strong farmer opposition to the exorbitant fees being charged last week, rendering charges have already been halved in some areas by switching to outlets in the North of Ireland. There is scope for even further reductions."
In the area of collection and delivery, Derek Deane said the excessive costs to the farmer can be removed by exploring alternative transport arrangements.
TheCattleSite News Desk
