MoreThanWaste.com - Scottish abattoir fined £1,500 for storing uncovered waste on site (13/09/2008)

Stirling, Scotland: A Brechin abattoir has been fined £1,500 for a breach of their Pollution Prevention and Control Permit. The fine was imposed by Forfar Sheriff Court last Thursday.

The abattoir's PPC permit stated that all skips containing specified (SRM) and non-specified risk material (certain animal carcasses and tissues) would be discharged into vehicle trailers as soon as they were full, and that these trailers would be covered, except during filling or loading operations, according to Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) sources.

SRM

The term Specified Risk Material (SRM) includes those tissues of cattle, sheep and goats which are known to, or might potentially, harbour detectable BSE infectivity in infected animals, such as the brain and spinal cord from bovines over six months of age.

SEPA says that tissues which fall within the current definition of SRM are the tonsils, the intestines, from the duodenum to the rectum, and the mesentery. Where animals are over 12 months of age, the skull excluding the mandible but including the brains and eyes, and spinal cord are included.

In addition, where animals are over 30 months, the vertebral column, excluding the vertebrae of the tail the spinous and transverse processes of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, the median sacral crest and the wings of the sacrum, but including the dorsal root ganglia.

SEPA Officers inspecting the abattoir on the morning of Saturday 20 October 2007 discovered a trailer full of animal remains, which was not fully covered. This resulted in spillage of the trailer's contents onto a concrete pad. It was found that he waste had been on site since the Thursday, as the rendering plant had not been operating to full capacity.

SEPA’s Stuart McGowan said:

“Senior management at this site should be aware of the terms and conditions SEPA set and should ensure they are adhered to. This situation could have been avoided if the company had complied with the terms of its Permit.”

Colin Bayes, SEPA's Director of Environmental Protection and Improvement, added:

"We want to help people avoid pollution and advice on how to do that is easily available from our staff, offices and http://www.sepa.org.uk/.
The NetRegs website, http://www.netregs.gov.uk/, also offers clear guidance on environmental rules and regulations. "

Further information

SEPA says that if a pollution incident occurs, it urges anyone to let the organisation know straight away by calling the 24 hour pollution report line, 0800 80 70 60, giving as many details as possible so effective action can be taken.


	Scottish abattoir fined £1,500 for storing uncovered waste on site (13/09/2008) Stirling, Scotland: A Brechin abattoir has been fined £1,500 for a breach of their Pollution Prevention and Control Permit. The fine was imposed by Forfar Sheriff Court last Thursday. The abattoir's PPC permit stated that all skips containing specified (SRM) and non-specified risk material (certain animal carcasses and tissues) would be discharged into vehicle trailers as soon as they were full, and that these trailers would be covered, except during filling or loading operations, according to Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) sources. SRM The term Specified Risk Material (SRM) includes those tissues of cattle, sheep and goats which are known to, or might potentially, harbour detectable BSE infectivity in infected animals, such as the brain and spinal cord from bovines over six months of age. SEPA says that tissues which fall within the current definition of SRM are the tonsils, the intestines, from the duodenum to the rectum, and the mesentery. Where animals are over 12 months of age, the skull excluding the mandible but including the brains and eyes, and spinal cord are included. In addition, where animals are over 30 months, the vertebral column, excluding the vertebrae of the tail the spinous and transverse processes of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, the median sacral crest and the wings of the sacrum, but including the dorsal root ganglia. SEPA Officers inspecting the abattoir on the morning of Saturday 20 October 2007 discovered a trailer full of animal remains, which was not fully covered. This resulted in spillage of the trailer's contents onto a concrete pad. It was found that he waste had been on site since the Thursday, as the rendering plant had not been operating to full capacity. SEPA’s Stuart McGowan said: “Senior management at this site should be aware of the terms and conditions SEPA set and should ensure they are adhered to. This situation could have been avoided if the company had complied with the terms of its Permit.” Colin Bayes, SEPA's Director of Environmental Protection and Improvement, added: "We want to help people avoid pollution and advice on how to do that is easily available from our staff, offices and http://www.sepa.org.uk/. The NetRegs website, http://www.netregs.gov.uk/, also offers clear guidance on environmental rules and regulations. " Further information SEPA says that if a pollution incident occurs, it urges anyone to let the organisation know straight away by calling the 24 hour pollution report line, 0800 80 70 60, giving as many details as possible so effective action can be taken.