AS the build-up of dead animals continues on Irish farms at a rate of more than 250 a day, meeting are to be held in an attempt to resolve the issues which have led to the carcases not being collected since last Friday.
It is estimated that a minimum of 100,000 cattle die from various causes each year, but since last Friday the knackeries which collect them say it will cost them too much to dispose of the carcases.
This is caused by new regulations on BSE which stipulate that risk materials - skulls, brains, eyes and spinal cords - must be removed and destroyed at Monery By-Products, a specified rendering plant in Co Cavan.
The 10 knackeries which collect "fallen" or casualty animals which die on farms say the charges being demanded by this plant - plus its location - make it financially unviable for them to continue. The knackeries usually charge farmers a small fee for collecting a dead animal, from which the meat is extracted for pet food or sold to various hunt packs throughout the Republic. The bones are sent to rendering plants for the manufacture of meat and bonemeal.
Last night, the Green TD, Mr Trevor Sargent, said he was "horrified" to learn of the levels of deaths of animals on Irish farms and the potential environmental hazard which might arise unless the problem was resolved.
"It highlights the unsustainable nature of Irish farming but as we do have a problem we are suggesting that the rendering industry be subsidised to deal with this and the costs be borne by the agricultural industry," he said.
Mr Sargent said it should be made clear that farmers who break the law by dumping the bodies of dead animals, and not disposing of them, should face the full rigour of the law.
Last night the Department of Agriculture warned farmers not to dump animals and to seek the advice of local authorities when burying them so as not to damage ground water quality.
The spokesman said that the Department was seeking a resolution of the problem and would meet with the rendering industry tomorrow.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that because renderers are having problems disposing of the specified risk materials supplied by meat factories, the Renderers Federation has told the factories that its members will not collect specified risk material from meat plants from tonight.
Because of EU and national health regulations, meat plants could not remain operational for more than two days if such a ban is imposed, industry sources said last night.
There is some evidence that the move by the Renderers Federation may be designed to put pressure on the Department of Agriculture to resolve the matter by licensing other plants. Some of the rendering plants are wholly owned by the meat factories.
Mr John Donnelly, president of the Irish Farmers Association, said last night he would meet all sides in the dispute in an effort to resolve the problem.
It also emerged that it is not illegal for a farmer to bury an animal on his farm but it is illegal to damage ground water sources and farmers who do so may be prosecuted.
It is estimated that between 100,000 and 250,000 of the Republic's 7 million cattle die on farms annually from disease, accidents or other causes. This figure excludes sheep and pigs.