A decree on heat processing of slaughter waste and diseased materials of animal origins was adopted by the Slovene government at its weekly session on Thursday. With the decree, which foresees a mandatory national public service for handling slaughter waste, Slovenia follows the directive of the EU issued in June 2000 to fight the mad cow disease, binding EU countries to separate animal tissues and organs with a high risk factor without harming the health of people and the environment.
Animal waste is to be sent to waste heat-processing plants.
Heat-processed products, such as flour and animal fat, are not to be used as food for humans or animals or as fertilisers. The use of the public service for heat processing of slaughter waste is mandatory for all producers of such waste, while those who have their own facilities for handling of waste are obliged to use them according to their permits. The costs of the heat-processing is to be paid by the producers of waste. In the case of mass animal deaths, the cost will be covered by budget reserves. Amendments to the law on social security were also drawn by the government and were sent to parliament for third reading.