Science working to overcome the problem of fallen stock (From Western Telegraph)

Science working to overcome the problem of fallen stock

12:24pm Tuesday 2nd February 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

Facts relating to scientific studies at Bangor University were revealed at the annual farming conference organised by the Pembroke county branch of the NFU held at the Showground Pavilion, Haverfordwest.

Dr Prysor Williams, lecturer at the school of the environment and natural resources explained how research was helping to overcome the severe impact upon the livelihood of farmers in Europe who were no longer able to bury fallen animals.

The Animal By-Product Regulations rule has, since 2003, determined that all dead livestock on every farm must be collected by an approved contractor and then be incinerated or rendered and this has had severe financial and practical implications for the livestock industry.

A farmer's son himself, Dr Williams is all too aware of the implications of these regulations and that is what instigated his initial research.

He said: “We sometimes hear that scientific projects have no real value to anyone. However, this study may help solve a very real issue to the whole livestock industry.”

Dr Williams explained the findings of scientists who are developing – with full EU approval – an innovative and cost effective system of microbial and enzymatic degradation leaving only a liquid waste. “To be accepted into European regulations, the system must be proven to be safe, and the findings to date have shown that the procedure does not generate or dissipate any harmful gases or pathogens,” explained Dr Williams who is researching the subject with Prof Davey Jones and Prof Gareth Edwards-Jones.

It is also likely to reduce the likelihood of spreading disease between farms and reduce pollution as the current system involves lorries frequently travelling large distances between farms, collecting individual or small numbers of carcasses.

In thanking the speaker Mike MacNamara, conference chairman, remarked that he was not surprised that this project was receiving overwhelming support from across the industry with many requests for progress reports at NFU meetings.

The second speaker was Nigel Davies, agricultural manager (Wales) of HSBC, and Dai Davies, president of the NFU in Wales.