The Department of Agriculture and Forestry is reminding all livestock producers to continue to follow existing guidelines for the disposal of livestock following the closure of a privately-owned removal service earlier this week. Department staff will provide copies of the guidelines and provide advice and assistance on their implementation. The guidelines are designed to ensure that on-farm disposal of dead livestock does not pose any human or animal health risks, or a risk to the environment.
The Federation of Agriculture held a number of discussions with farm organizations prior to the termination of the service, and their position was that the department not regulate that farmers use a pickup service. In response to a recommendation from the Federation of Agriculture, the new Farm Practices Review Board will be requested to develop a Code of Practice for livestock disposal based on the present guidelines.
The guidelines require that disposal sites be located a minimum 1000 feet from any drinking well, 200 feet from a fresh water stream, more than 100 feet from a public right-of-way and that all livestock be covered with a minimum of two feet of earth. Composting is another low cost and environmentally acceptable method of disposal.
About 280 producers subscribed to the removal service, and many have been calling the department looking for alternate disposal methods. The guidelines are available through district agricultural offices and will also be available on the department's web site.
The departments of Agriculture and Forestry and Technology and Environment will respond to complaints regarding improper disposal.
At this time, there is no indication whether another private business will establish a dead stock pickup service in the province.