The Environmental Protection Agency has refused an application for a licence from a Co Meath plant to dispose of animal parts thought to contain BSE.
The EPA has told College Proteins, based in Nobber, Co Meath, that "any such application would have to involve a review of their existing licence". The plant applied to render specified risk material (SRM) from cattle under 30 months and from cattle which test negative for BSE under its existing integrated pollution-control licence.
Three other plants have applied for licences to render SRM. Objections have been lodged against applications by Premier Proteins in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, and the Munster Proteins plant in Waterford. The EPA is still considering an application from Ronans of Rosegreen in Co Tipperary.