WRITTEN QUESTION E-0760/03

by Elisabeth Jeggle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 March 2003)

Subject: Operating conditions for incineration plants under Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002

The ban on feeding animal meal to non-ruminants resulting from the BSE crisis has made the destruction of carcases and waste from slaughter highly cost-intensive. Many rendering establishments treating animal waste that are currently planning the renovation or rebuilding of their incineration plants are thus considering the possibility of using animal fat that they have produced themselves as a fuel.

Regarding the operation of an incineration plant, Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002(1), Annex IV Chapter II Paragraph 3 (Operating Conditions), requires a minimum temperature of 850 °C, to be maintained for at least two seconds. However, without pre- and post-incineration chambers, which are very costly and occupy a great deal of space, a temperature of 1 400 °C is reached for a maximum of 0,6 seconds. Thus, the physical properties of animal fat as a liquid fuel for incineration place it outside the required parameters.

Does the Commission see a possibility of amending Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 to reflect the current situation, granting potential applicants special permission to operate incineration plants using animal fats with the above parameters (1 400 °C for 0,6 seconds)?

(1) OJ L 273, 10.10.2002, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2003)

The incineration of waste is regulated by Union legislation aimed at preventing or limiting as far as practicable its negative effects on the environment and the resulting risks to animal and human health. As regards the incineration of animal by-products, Directive 2000/76/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 4 December 2000 on incineration of waste(1) excludes installations that incinerate only animal carcasses.

As regards the incineration of animal by-products to which Directive 2000/76/EC does not apply, Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002(2) will apply from 1 May 2003. The Regulation provides that the Commission may approve alternative uses or methods of disposal, following consultation of the appropriate scientific committee. The new methods may either supplement or replace the methods provided for in the Regulation.

The Commission welcomes scientifically proven initiatives and invites interested parties to submit proposals for alternative disposal processes, equipment and systems, and has already established a task force including scientific committee members in order to carry out initial assessment and recommend a course of action. The assessment is already underway for a number of alternative processes, systems and equipment submitted by the industry, including the burning of animal fats (at 1 400 °C for 0,6 seconds) as fuel. The assessment takes into account the animal and public health and environmental risks involved. Generally, as soon as a given process, system or equipment is proven to be safe, the Commission will take an decision to approve it, by amending the Regulation.

(1) OJ L 332, 28.12.2000.

(2) Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the Parliament and of the Council of 3 October 2002 laying down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption OJ L 273, 10.10.2002.