Safeguarding American Agriculture

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March 12, 2008 

VETERINARY SERVICES MEMORANDUM NO. 800.56 

TO: VS Management Team 

 Directors, Center for Veterinary Biologics 

 Biologics Licensees, Permittees, and Applicants 

FROM: /s/ Andrea M. Morgan for John R. Clifford 

 Deputy Administrator 

SUBJECT: Disposal of Unsatisfactory and Undesirable Materials 

I. PURPOSE 

This memorandum establishes procedures to comply with Title 9, Code of Federal 

Regulations (9 CFR) 114.15 for the disposal of unsatisfactory biological products, 

carcasses, refuse, or materials unsatisfactory for production purposes. 

II. CANCELLATION 

This memorandum cancels Veterinary Services Memorandum No. 800.56 dated 

September 7, 1999. 

III. PROCEDURES 

A. Inactivation - Carcasses, contaminated material and byproducts, and unsatisfactory 

 products containing live agents or toxins must be treated by one of the following 

 approved inactivation procedures prior to disposal: 

1. Incineration - The application of flame for a period of time sufficient to 

 degrade all infectious organic material to a noninfectious state. 

2. Dry Heat - The application of dry heat at a temperature of at least 160 °C for a 

 period of time (not less than 1 hour) adequate to inactivate, detoxify, and/or sterilize 

 the material involved. 

3. Autoclaving - The application of live steam at a temperature of at least 120 °C 

 for a period of time (not less than one-half hour) adequate to inactivate, detoxify, 

 and/or sterilize the material involved. 

4. Chemical Inactivation - The addition of sodium hypochlorite (bleach), 

United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection 

Service 

Veterinary Services 

Washington, DC 

20250 
VETERINARY SERVICES MEMORANDUM NO. 800.56 

Page 2 

formalin, phenol, cresol, beta-propiolactone, phenylmercuric nitrate, or equivalent 

inactivating agents at sufficient concentration for sufficient time and under proper 

conditions to inactivate, detoxify, and/or sterilize the material involved. 

5. Rendering - The application of sufficient heat for a period of time sufficient to 

effectively destroy carcasses for human food purposes and to degrade to a 

noninfectious state. 

 

6. Burial - To bury carcasses, contaminated feed, manure, bedding, and other 

items below ground level with sufficient covering material to prevent any further 

dissemination of microorganisms. 

7. Composting - The controlled anaerobic biological decomposition of organic 

matter into an environmentally stable product called compost. It is used as an 

alternative method of managing manure and other organic wastes, such as poultry or 

livestock waste. 

8. Tissue Digestion - The digestion and liquefaction of organic matter by alkaline 

hydrolysis in a heated sealed vessel under constant agitation. The alkali and water are 

added in precise proportion to the weight of tissue and the system is heated to a 

specific operating temperature for a specified period of time. 

 

B. Disposal 

1. Hazardous Compounds - Some veterinary biologics may contain hazardous 

compounds, including, but not limited to, Thimerosal/Merthiolate, that are used as 

preservatives, inactivants, etc. The improper treatment and disposal of products 

containing hazardous compounds may pose a substantial present or potential hazard to 

human health or the environment. Disposal of such products must comply with all 

applicable Federal, State, and local regulations. Contractors and facilities used to 

dispose of hazardous waste should be registered with the Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) and have a United States EPA ID number. 

 

2. Live Agents and/or Toxins - Treat materials containing live agents and/or 

toxins by an approved method listed in section III.A of this memorandum before 

disposal. Other materials may be discarded without such treatment. 

3. Other Laws and Regulations - Comply with all applicable Federal, State, and 

local laws and regulations pertaining to the disposal of waste and the maintenance of 

environmental quality in the final disposition of materials. 

4. Transport of Materials - The conveyances used to transport carcasses or other 

infectious materials are to be constructed so as to be leak-proof and equipped to permit 

thorough cleaning and disinfecting. Vehicles used for the transportation of hazardous 

waste should be properly placarded. 
VETERINARY SERVICES MEMORANDUM NO. 800.56 

Page 3 

C. Documentation 

1. Methods for Disposal - Describe the method for disposal of material 

unsuitable for use in production in the Outline of Production. The citation of 

Veterinary Services Memorandum No. 800.56 is acceptable. 

2. Records - Maintain records according to 9 CFR 116.2. 

3. Supervision of Disposal - The disposal of biological products found 

satisfactory by the licensee or permittee but found unsatisfactory by the Center for 

Veterinary Biologics (CVB) should be conducted under the supervision of the Center 

for Veterinary Biologics-Inspection and Compliance (CVB-IC) or other APHIS 

official. Unless the CVB has authorized the licensee or permittee to dispose of such 

products without supervision, CVB personnel will witness the destruction. In cases 

where the licensee or permittee is authorized to dispose of a serial, the CVB will 

verify records during an inspection of the establishment and refer to this verification in 

the inspection report. 

4. Disposal by the Firm - Submit final test summaries and disposition of serials 

or subserials found unsatisfactory by the licensee or permittee on an APHIS Form 

2008, Veterinary Biologics Production and Test Report as described in Veterinary 

Services Memorandum 800.53. If CVB has authorized the licensee or permitttee to 

dispose of such products without supervision, CVB personnel will verify the 

destruction of the product during inspection of the establishment.