Sinn Féin spokesperson for Agriculture, Claire Kerrane TD, has called on Minister McConalogue to intervene on the ongoing dispute around fallen animals and resulting issues around collections.

An ongoing dispute between knackeries and rendering plants has resulted in delays around the collection of fallen animals from farms.

Speaking today, Teachta Kerrane said:

“It is crucial that the Minister take action on this matter to see the dispute around fallen animals resolved.

“The ongoing dispute between knackeries and rendering plants has resulted in delays around the collection of fallen animals from farms.

“I have been contacted by farmers who either have had difficulty getting animals collected, or who are concerned about the serious and safety risk of leaving fallen animals on their farmyards. This is something that, in normal times, the Department would not take kindly to, and rightly so.

“While I understand the dispute between knackeries and rendering plants is complex, the Minister has stood back and allowed the situation to escalate to such a degree that farmers are being directly impacted as a consequence.

“It is unacceptable that farmers cannot currently rely on a collection service for fallen animals, and if it were the other way around the Department would not tolerate such delays from farmers in having collections carried out.

“I have now written to the Minister to urge him to intervene, and to outline what measures he and his Department are taking to address this matter.”