Pat Farrell, IFA animal health chair, is unhappy with changes to the fallen animal collection scheme that was announced on Tuesday. He said it doesn’t address the key issues for farmers with fallen animals.

“The scheme fails to reduce the costs of disposal for farmers and its voluntary nature doesn’t provide a guaranteed collection service for all farmers,” he said.

The animal health chair said the Department of Agriculture has protected the interests of the three rendering plants and licensed knackeries at the expense of farmers.

He has called for the Department to address two key principles: a reduction in collection charges and guarantee of collection.

“The Department of Agriculture has not addressed these issues. The scheme must be revisited as a matter of urgency,” he said.

Fianna Fáil

Fianna Fáil spokesperson on agriculture Charlie McConalogue said: “Most knackeries are family-run businesses. More strenuous regulations have made their job increasingly difficult.”

He called on Minister Creed to consider providing additional supports to ensure the viability of the industry and review the fallen animal scheme that is causing hardship for knackery operators.

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Department sets new charges for dead animal collection

Fallen animal scheme 'must be revisited'

Department of Agriculture has protected the interests of the three rendering plants, according to the IFA.