Changes to the Dead Animal Disposal Act

Author:	Kevin Joynes, Dead Animal Disposal Advisor/OMAFRA
Creation Date:	11 July 2006
Last Reviewed:	11 July 2006

Introduction
Increased Storage Flexibility
Vehicle Requirement for Transporting Dead Animals
Changes for Receiving Plants and Rendering Plants
More Information
Related Links

Introduction

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has introduced regulatory changes to the Dead Animal Disposal Act (DADA) that will provide some relief for producers facing livestock mortality disposal issues, and increase efficiency for deadstock collectors. Overall, the revised requirements are more outcome-based and provide more flexibility for operators.

The amendment to DADA Regulation 263 came into effect in June 2006.

| Top of Page |

Increased Storage Flexibility

Before the amendment came into effect, producers were required to dispose of dead animals within 48 hours of death by burial, composting, using the services of a licensed deadstock collector or by delivery of the carcass to a laboratory for postmortem examination, investigation or loss adjustment. Livestock producers can now store their mortalities for more than 48 hours prior to disposal, under very specific conditions. This can provide both livestock producers and deadstock collectors with some cost savings by allowing more efficient use of collectors' resources. It also recognizes the difficulty with on-farm burial in the winter months due to equipment limitations.

Specifically, the changes provide more flexibility for livestock producers by allowing carcasses:

to be moved and stored on another farm property owned by the producer; or
to be moved and stored on another farmer's property pending pick up by a licensed collector.

At the chosen location, carcasses may be stored:

in a refrigerated state, up to 14 days if kept at 4oC or less; or
in a frozen state, up to 240 days if stored at -18oC or less.

Stored carcasses must be hidden from public view and stored under conditions that protect them from scavengers and other pests. Any stored carcass that begins to decompose must be disposed of immediately as set out in the amended regulations.

| Top of Page |

Vehicle Requirements for Transporting Dead Animals

Requirements for vehicles used to transport dead animals have become more flexible, more outcome based and less prescriptive. A wide range of vehicles are acceptable as long as they are designed and equipped to prevent the leakage of fluids. All surfaces that may come into contact with dead animals must be constructed of a leak-proof material that will withstand repeated cleaning and sanitizing. While tarps are no longer required, vehicles must be designed, equipped and operated in a way that prevents carcasses from being visible to the public during transit.

As in the past, vehicles used to move carcasses, now including transport from one farm property to another, must bear a marker issued by OMAFRA.

| Top of Page |

Changes for Receiving Plants and Rendering Plants

Receiving plants no longer require rooms for refrigeration and storage of meats unless meat from dead animals is being salvaged for animal food. The amendment eliminates the requirement that carcasses be boned out or mechanically processed. This change aligns the regulation with current industry practices and markets. Receiving and rendering plants that salvage meat from frozen dead animals are required to process the frozen carcass within 24 hours of its thawing.

Receiving plants can now dispose of entire carcasses by burial or by shipping them to a rendering plant. The amendment provides licensed operators of receiving plants and rendering plants an additional disposal option for entrails, bones, waste meat and refuse from dead animals. This material can now be delivered to a facility approved under the Environmental Protection Act to receive and process this material. If the receiving or rendering plant itself is approved under the Environmental Protection Act to process this material, they may do so.

| Top of Page |

More Information

For the exact wording of the regulation, please visit the e-laws website or call Kevin Joynes, OMAFRA's Dead Animal Disposal Advisor, at 519-826-7510.