Warning fallen cattle collection costs could increase

The Department of Agriculture has limited the distance that material from fallen cattle aged over 48 months can be transported to rendering plants.

The change has led to warnings that fallen cattle collection costs could increase.

Rendering and disposal costs of over 48-month cattle are fully covered by government subsidy.In 2012, 53,903 of these animals were tested as required by EU regulations and fully disposed off, at a cost to the exchequer of €5.78 million. The projected cost in 2013 is €7.49m, for 75,000 animals.