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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Animal by-products governance and legislation

    Topics:
    • Animal Health, Welfare and Trade, 
    • EU Exit, 
    • Animal by-products

    The Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 have now been put in place to administer and enforce the EU regulations.

    The legislation

    The legislation governing animal by-products can be found using the following links:

    • The Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (legislation.gov.uk website)
    • Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 (European Union website)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 (European Union website)
    • The Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (legislation.gov.uk website)

    Amendments to the legislation

    • Regulation (EU) No 749/201i (European Union website)
    • Regulation (EU) No 1063/2012 (European Union website)
    • Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1097/2012 (European Union website)
    • Regulation (EU) No 294/2013 (European Union website)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 555/2013 (European Union website)
    • Commission Regulation (EU) No 717/2013 (European Union website)

    Licence summary

    Approval is required for premises, operators or equipment involved in the storage, processing, treatment or disposal of animal by-products.
    The Department will require an inspection to be carried out by a Department official prior to the granting of approval.

    • List of current approved premises

    Eligibility criteria

    An application can be made to operate any of the following premises:

    • composting or biogas plants
    • incinerator
    • intermediate plant handling animal by-products
    • pet food plant
    • storage plants for processed animal by-products
    • collection and treatment plants for animal by-products
    • final users of treated animal by-products
    • rendering Plant
    • technical Plant
    • Final users of animal by-products

    Regulation summary

    A summary of the regulation relating to these approvals can be accessed on the gov.uk website.

    Application evaluation process

    Details of the evaluation criteria applicable to the approval of each Animal By-Product premises is available in the animal by-products general guidance. Further guidance is also provided on the relevant application form.
    Once an application is received you will be contacted by DAERA within 15 working days to arrange an inspection visit. The approval process will be discussed at the visit and an indication on when approval will be granted will also be given at this point. When the inspection report is completed, providing all conditions are met, notice of approval will be issued within 10 working days.

    Will tacit consent apply?

    No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Department within the timescales above, please contact us. You can also do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.

    Apply online

    You can apply online to run an animal by-products premises via the nibusinessinfo website, entering your post code to see a list of applications. You will need to register on the website before you can do this.

    Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances.

    Alternatively applications can be downloaded from the animal by-products applications section of this website.

    Failed application redress

    Applications will have an opportunity to discuss and redress issues affecting their eligibility during the approval process so that applications are not rejected.

    However if an application is not approved, where necessary, applicants should contact the Department using the contact details below.

    Consumer complaint

    If you have a complaint about an approved premises we would advise that the first contact is made with the premises by you - preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, please contact the Department.

    Related content

    • Animal by-products general guidance
    • Animal by-products specific guidance
    • British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB)
    • Fallen stock guidance
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