A controversial new ruling aimed at having animals which die in the Republic, rendered in the Republic is falling short with fears that animals will continue to be disposed of in rendering plants in the North.

According to an interactive map available on the Department of Agriculture’s website, there are still as many as five knackeries that can dispose of fallen animals in category one plants in Northern Ireland.

The Department introduced the ruling, which restricts knackeries from bringing fallen animals over 48 months old to rendering plants outside a 125km zone, on 1 November as a way of keeping fallen animals in the Irish jurisdiction. Knackeries the Irish Farmers Journal contacted said they are aware of animals over 48 months that are still travelling north of the border for rendering. Knackeries have the opportunity to go to the two nearest rendering plants without having to sacrifice the subsidy

Fallen animal collectors south of the border had long used category one rendering plants in the North as they were often cheaper than plants in the South.

There had been concerns that product going across the border to one plant was being re-categorised and directed to another plant.

A number of the knackeries confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that they have been forced to revise upwards their prices as a result of the ruling. One knackery in the east of the country said its costs have increased substantially since the introduction of the new rule. However, speaking in the Dáil, Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said that knackery prices should not be rising.

Rendering costs

He said: “It is important to note that the rates payable under the scheme have not changed. The rendering and disposal costs of over- 48-month fallen cattle ... are fully covered ... and the collection charge to the farmer is still capped at €54.03. Bovines under 48 months are outside the remit of the subsidy scheme, and their collection and rendering is a matter for commercial arrangement,” the Minister said.

The IFA argues that the application of the 125km maximum distance requirement has increased the cost of fallen animal collection for farmers.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the review of the 125km ruling is continuing but it is unclear as to when the Department of Agriculture will be making its findings known. However, it is understood that the Department will not be making significant changes to the ruling.