Code of Maine Rules › 01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY › 001 - AGRICULTURE - GENERAL › Chapter 211 - RULES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL CARCASSES › Appendix 001-211-C

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOOD AND RURAL RESOURCES
CATASTROPHIC ANIMAL CARCASS DISPOSAL
SITE SELECTION PROTOCOL
January 12, 2010
For routine disposal of animal carcasses, site selection is
				  driven primarily by environmental concerns though a number of other factors
				  also come into play such as convenience to the farmer, accessibility during all
				  times of year, option of preference for disposal, aesthetics, interference with
				  farming operations, disease control and site conditions on the farm. Farmers
				  have plenty of time to develop and use a site that meets or can be modified to
				  meet a standard set of conditions. And, the site will be used on a continuing
				  basis for an indefinite time period. In the case of a catastrophe however, the
				  primary driving factor for site selection may be different, depending on the
				  nature of the catastrophe. If the catastrophe is caused by a highly contagious
				  disease such as foot and mouth disease, containing and controlling the disease
				  is of paramount importance. To contain a highly contagious disease, it is
				  necessary to minimize transport distance and time so the diseased animals can
				  be disposed of quickly, effectively and efficiently. There will be no need to
				  worry about interfering with farming operations since the farmer will be out of
				  operation until the farm has been sterilized.
The most viable option for disposing of animals with a highly
				  contagious disease is in most cases by composting them*. Burial is very rarely
				  a viable option in Maine. In order to contain and eliminate the threat of
				  disease spreading, the animals would have to be buried so deep that they would
				  be placed within the groundwater table in almost all of the soils found in
				  Maine. The only cases where disposal of animal carcasses by burial may be a
				  viable option is if the animals die as a result of a fire or other such natural
				  disaster. Disposing of diseased animal carcasses by composting can be done in
				  silage bunkers, manure storage areas, heavy use areas, in open barns or holding
				  areas and even in driveways or parking areas. These are all impermeable areas
				  that need no site preparation and can be easily accessed any time of year, both
				  by the farmer and by others bringing materials (such as hot biosolids compost)
				  for the disposal operation. This does not mean that the other concerns can be
				  ignored; it is just that they are secondary to the primary goal of controlling
				  and containing the spread of disease. Environmental concerns for the one-time
				  use of a composting site are not nearly as great as with burial or a compost
				  site that will be used on a continuing basis. If done properly, the compost
				  (especially if it is hot to start with) will absorb leachate from decomposing
				  carcasses providing protection of the seasonal groundwater table and
				  neighboring streams, wetlands, lakes or ponds. They can therefore, be used in
				  sites with greater limitations than if burial is the option to be used or for
				  routine carcass disposal.
*An exception to this would be a disease such as anthrax
				  which has been shown to be resistant to composting.
Steps to consider when selecting a site for disposal of
				  animal carcasses as the result of a catastrophe (including highly contagious
				  disease):
1. The site(s) should
				be as near to the barn housing the animals as possible/practical. A single farm
				may need more than one site if animals are housed in different locations (such
				as milking cows in one area and replacement cows in another that is a distance
				away). The site(s) must be large enough to accommodate the composting of all of
				the animals in a barn by the windrow method (maximum of 15 feet wide) with
				large animals (cows or horses) being piled only one carcass high. This
				minimizes leachate production from the composting process lessening the need
				for concern with environmental issues.
2. Look at environmental issues such as
				setbacks from waterbodies, depth to groundwater and/or bedrock, wells, property
				lines, roads, and buildings. Maximize setbacks from sensitive features while
				meeting the primary site location objective of being easily and quickly
				accessible to the carcasses. Keep in mind that these sites will likely only be
				used once and composting (done properly and in accordance to MDOA composting
				guidelines) does not generate much leachate. You can also select a site or
				sites that would not be considered for routine disposal such as heavy use
				areas, empty silage bunkers, empty manure storages, parking areas, driveways or
				farm roads.
3. Consider site
				conditions. Pick areas that have the best potential for a successful composting
				operation. Sites with a slight slope work best and they should have moderately
				well to well drained soils that are moderately deep or greater to bedrock. It
				is preferable however to select a site with soil and/or slope limitations near
				the barns that can be easily modified than to select a site with better site
				conditions but which is a distance away from the barns.
4. Aesthetics should also be considered but
				only after considering all of the other issues listed in 1-3 above. The animals
				will only be composting for a few months and after which the compost will
				become a good soil amendment that can be spread on the farmers
				fields.
5. Alternate sites may be
				located in the event of a catastrophic event that does not result in the
				shutting down of all farming operations. This could include a fire that
				destroys one building but not all that house animals or contaminated feed that
				kills a number of animals but does not create a biosecurity threat. It could
				also include the suffocation of a flock of chickens in a house but does not
				harm the building.