Carcass disposal: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Whether at the hand of accidental disease entry, the weather, or an act of bioterrorism, widespread livestock deaths pose daunting carcass-disposal challenges that, if not met quickly and effectively, can spiral into major food security problems and result in devastating economic losses. The ever-increasing concentration of modern animal production operations, combined with the tremendous mobility of food-animal populations, accentuates the country's vulnerability to high death losses due to disease outbreaks. A rapid and effective disease eradication response is vital to minimizing livestock losses, economic impacts, and public health hazards. However, realization of a rapid response requires emergency management plans that are based on a thorough understanding of disposal alternatives appropriate in various circumstances. Carcass Disposal: A Comprehensive Review provides a comprehensive summary of the scientific, technical, and social aspects of various carcass disposal technologies, and serves as a resource for officials tasked with planning for the safe and timely disposal of animal carcasses. This report includes chapters that address burial (including landfill), incineration (including air curtain incineration), composting, rendering, lactic acid fermentation, alkaline hydrolysis, anaerobic digestion, as well as novel technologies. The report also addresses economic and cost considerations, regulatory issues, physical site security, environmental impacts, decontamination and transportation issues, as well as the use of GIS systems.