Incinerators and low capacity carcase incineration
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Pig keepers may incinerate fallen stock on the holding of origin using equipment with a capacity of less than 50 kg/hour, these are referred to as ‘Low Capacity Incinerators’. These incinerators must be of a type approved under the Animal By-Products Regulation (ABPR) (EC) No. 1774/2002. These are exempt from the more onerous controls of the Waste Incineration Directive. However, plants which burn other animal by-products (ABPs) (eg former foodstuffs, catering waste, manure), processed products (meat and bone meal, tallow), or other waste not of animal origin must be authorised under the Waste Incineration Directive.
The regulations covering low capacity incinerators apply to most incinerators found on pig farms as pig carcases are classified as non-Specified Risk Material (SRM).
For an incinerator to become “approved”, the manufacturer or user has to demonstrate to Animal Health (Defra) that all gases resulting from the incineration are raised to a temperature of at least 850ºC for a minimum of two seconds. Incinerators therefore will generally require a primary chamber and secondary chamber containing an after burner.
Animal Health are also responsible for issuing all authorisations for the operation of low capacity incinerators on farm, periodic site inspections are carried out and records are required. The latest version of Defra’s guidance “Controls on Low capacity Animal Incineration Plants” is available on their Animal By-Products website.
Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (England) Regulations No.2011/881
It should be noted that operators of low capacity incinerators have to document that the plant is regularly maintained and have tests carried out at least every three years to confirm the time residence and temperature criteria are being attained.
Application forms for operation of incinerators can be found here.
Ash arising from these incinerators may be spread on agricultural land subject to an Exemption under the Waste Management Regulations having been applied for and the conditions attached to that Exemption being adhered to. To apply for an Exemption you need to obtain an information pack from the Environment Agency by calling their dedicated agricultural waste helpline: 0845 603 3113 and quoting: U10 exemption or click here to complete the online exemption