Animal health and welfare
Disposal of animal carcasses
The Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 controls the processing and disposal of animal by-products and processed animal by-products.
Controlled products include animal carcasses, parts of animal carcasses (including blood) and products of animal origin which are not intended for human consumption but exclude wild animal carcasses.
Permitted disposal routes are:
- Rendering incineration
- Burial, open burning (only allowed within areas designated as remote)
- Other Scottish Government and DEFRA approved means of disposal, if appropriate
Any burial site must be so that it is not likely to affect any watercourse, field drain or groundwater and should comply with the code of practice: prevention of environmental pollution from agricultural activity.
To prevent pollution of water any proposal to bury carcasses should first be discussed with the local SEPA office.
Burying dead pets
Dead pet animals may still be buried. Pet animals are defined as "any animal belonging to species normally nourished and kept, but not consumed, by humans for purposes other than farming".
Read our guidance on:
- BSE testing of cattle
- Deer carcase and offal disposal
- Fallen stock and the disposal of animal by-products
- Disposal of livestock carcasses