2 CAR Part 121 — Disposal of Large Animal and Poultry Carcasses

Chapter III

Subchapter A

Subpart 1

2 CAR § 121-101 Definitions {#sec-2-car-121-101 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-2-part-121--2 CAR § 121-101}

2 CAR § 121-101. Definitions.

As used in this part:

(1) “Burial” means to dispose of mortality by covering carcasses with soil, either by placing carcasses in an excavated area or on the soil surface;

(2) “Carbon source” means a biodegradable material used to aid in the decomposition process of mortality which includes but is not limited to:

(A) Wood shavings;

(B) Sawdust;

(C) Hay; and

(D) Rice hulls;

(3) “Catastrophic mortality” means an event where a large number of animals die, other than from a reportable disease, and the normal method of disposal is inadequate;

(4)(A) “Composting” means the natural biological degradation of plant and animal matter in a controlled, well-aerated system.

(B) Composting for disposal should contain carcasses, a carbon source, and moisture in order to reach temperatures that will destroy pathogenic organisms;

(5) “Incineration” means the destruction of animal carcass soft tissue and most of the hard tissue by means of controlled combustion;

(6) “Large animal” means:

(A) Cattle;

(B) Horses;

(C) Domesticated swine;

(D) Sheep;

(E) Goats;

(F) Cervidae;

(G) Bison;

(H) Llamas;

(I) Alpacas;

(J) Ostriches;

(K) Emus;

(L) Rheas; and

(M) Other native or nonnative animals, excluding:

(i) Dogs;

(ii) Cats; and

(iii) Feral hogs;

(7) “On farm freezing” means to dispose of poultry mortality by placing carcasses in a leak-proof freezer unit capable of maintaining a subfreezing temperature for the duration of the flock or when the unit is full;

(8) “Poultry” means a class of domesticated fowl (birds) farmed for their meat or eggs which include but are not limited to:

(A) Chickens;

(B) Turkeys; and

(C) Ducks;

(9) “Rendering” means to process mortality by machinery, device, or system designed and operated for the purpose of making an animal feed or feed supplement from animal carcasses or parts; and

(10) “State Animal Health Official” means the State Veterinarian or designee.

2 CAR § 121-102 Disposal of large animal carcasses {#sec-2-car-121-102 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-2-part-121--2 CAR § 121-102}

2 CAR § 121-102. Disposal of large animal carcasses.

(a) Large animal carcasses must be disposed of in the following manner unless specified directly by the State Animal Health Official:

(1) Rendering. Large animal carcasses may be submitted to a rendering facility in a sealed vehicle that does not allow drainage while being moved;

(2) Burial.

(A)(i) Carcasses may be buried at a site at least one hundred yards (100 yds.) away from a well and in a place where a stream cannot be contaminated.

(ii) Carcasses may be covered with lime, particularly when needed to control odors.

(iii) All carcasses are to be covered with at least two feet (2’) of soil.

(iv) Carcasses are not to be buried in a landfill without prior approval of the State Animal Health Official or the Director of the Arkansas Board of Animal Health.

(B)(i) Anthrax carcasses should be sited as far as possible (at least one hundred yards (100 yds.)) from a well or water source and disposed of by incineration.

(ii) The burn site should be acidified and then buried under two feet (2’) of soil; and

(3) Composting. Carcasses or portions of carcasses may be composted in compliance with the following guidelines:

(A) General requirements.

(i) The composting process must be managed at all times to:

(a) Be practically odorless;

(b) Prevent fly larvae development;

(c) Prevent animal depredation; and

(d) Stop leaching of waste material thereby becoming a source of water/soil contamination.

(ii) The carcass or carcasses must be reduced to brittle/easily broken bone.

(iii) A minimal temperature of one hundred thirty degrees Fahrenheit (130˚ F) and a minimal one hundred ten degrees Fahrenheit (110˚ F) maintenance temperature must be achieved during the composting process to where the finished product is pathogen free;

(B) Composting — Exposed to weather.

(i) Compost material (carbon source such as sawdust, hay, etc.) may not contain manure if exposed to rain or water.

(ii) The carcass or carcasses must be placed on at least a twenty-four-inch thick pad of compost material that is large enough so that when the carcass or carcasses are placed there it will be at least twenty-four inches (24”) from the carcass or carcasses to the edge of the pad.

(iii) A layer of compost material that completely covers the carcass or carcasses and is at least twenty-four inches (24”) thick must be maintained throughout the composting process;

(C) Composting — Protected from weather. Compost material (carbon source such as saw dust, hay, etc.) may contain manure;

(D) Composting must be done in a bin or bins that have:

(i) A concrete floor to provide an all-weather base;

(ii) A roof to exclude excess moisture; and

(iii) Rot-resistant bin construction to support the compost material and withstand stresses applied by a tractor loader;

(E) The carcass or carcasses must be placed in the compost bin on at least a twelve-inch thick base pad of compost material, and the carcass or carcasses cannot be placed within eight inches (8”) of the sides, front, or rear of the compost bin; and

(F) A layer of compost material that completely covers the carcass or carcasses must be maintained throughout the composting process; or

(4) Incineration (burning). Incineration or open burning may be used as long as the carcass is reduced to ash.

(b) Other disposal issues.

(1) This part does not apply to any animal products meant for human consumption.

(2)(A) If carcasses or parts are handled or transported off-site, the carcass or product must be in a sealed vehicle or leak-proof containers.

(B) Carcasses must be covered by a tarp or other materials when transported.

(3) Large animal carcasses found on public roadways, where proof of ownership is unknown, shall be disposed of in the most practical manner to prevent a public health problem.

2 CAR § 121-103 Disposal of poultry carcasses {#sec-2-car-121-103 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-2-part-121--2 CAR § 121-103}

2 CAR § 121-103. Disposal of poultry carcasses.

(a) Acceptable methods.

(1) Incineration. When used for the purpose of carcass disposal, the carcass must be reduced to ash.

(2) Composting.

(A) The composting process must be managed at all times to:

(i) Be practically odorless;

(ii) Prevent fly larvae development;

(iii) Prevent animal depredation; and

(iv) Stop leaching of waste material thereby becoming a source of water/soil contamination.

(B) The carcass and carcasses must be reduced to brittle/easily broken bone and feathers.

(C) A temperature must be achieved during the composting process to reduce pathogen load.

(3) On-farm freezing.

(A) Carcasses will be frozen to a solid state before being removed from the farm.

(B) Frozen carcasses will be placed in a container that will not leak when thawing begins.

(C) Frozen carcasses will be transported from the farm in a sealed, leak-proof vehicle.

(4) Rendering.

(A) Carcasses may be submitted to a rendering facility in a sealed vehicle that does not allow drainage while being moved.

(B) All requirements of subdivision (b)(2) of this section must be followed.

(b) Other poultry carcass disposal issues.

(1) Catastrophic event (not including when mortality is caused by a reportable disease).

(A)(i) On-site burial may be used.

(ii) The trench must be two feet (2’) to four feet (4’) deep and the carcasses covered by at least two feet (2’) of soil.

(iii) Lime may be used to control odor if needed.

(B) A permit is required from the Arkansas Board of Animal Health.

(2) Transport of carcasses from farm.

(A)(i) If carcasses or parts are handled or transported off-site, they must be in a sealed vehicle or leak-proof containers.

(ii) Carcasses must be covered by a tarp or other materials when transported.

(B) May be cancelled in cases of reportable disease incidents, or when the State Animal Health Official deems necessary to stop disease spread.

(C) A permit is required from the board.

2 CAR § 121-104 Exemptions {#sec-2-car-121-104 omnilex-key=us-ar-regs-official--title-2-part-121--2 CAR § 121-104}

2 CAR § 121-104. Exemptions.

Any further exemptions from this part must be approved in writing by the State Animal Health Official.