Animal by-products are animal carcasses, parts of carcass or products of animal origin that are not intended for human consumption.
Animal by-products regulations
The handling, use and disposal of animal by-products is controlled by the European Union (EU) Animal By-products Regulation 2009 and the EU Implementing Regulation 2011. The main aim of these regulations is to prevent animal by-products from presenting a risk to animal or public health through the transmission of disease.
The regulations are enforced in England and Wales by the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (England) Regulations and the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 2011.
Animal Health & Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) and local authorities (usually trading standards) are responsible for enforcing animal by-products legislation.
Animal by-product permitting
If you want to carry out activities involving animal by-products you will require an authorisation from AHVLA. If you are unsure whether you require an authorisation you should discuss your proposed activity with your local AHVLA office.
If the animal by-product is also classed as a waste then a permit or waste exemption is required from the Environment Agency in addition to authorisation from AHVLA. For example, an environmental permit or waste exemption is likely to be required if you are composting, anaerobically digesting or landspreading wastes containing animal by-products. Find further information about environmental permits and exemptions on our website from the link below:
You may require an environmental permit if you are proposing to incinerate animal by-products. Find more information about environmental permits for incineration activities on our website from the link below:
- class="standard">Waste incineration
If you are proposing to dispose of animal by-products by landfilling you must have an environmental permit which allows you to landfill animal by-products.
