302 KAR 20:052. Animal carcass composting.

      RELATES TO: KRS 257.010, 257.160(1)-(2)

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 257.160(3)

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 257.160(3) authorizes the State Board of Agriculture to promulgate administrative regulations to implement KRS 257.160. KRS 257.160(1)(f) allows disposal of animal carcasses by composting if the disposal is performed in an approved facility and according to the board’s administrative regulations. This administrative regulation establishes required procedures for animal carcass composting.

      Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Animal" means fish and any member of the equine, ovine, bovine, porcine, feline, canine, caprine, lapin, bison, cervidae, camalid, ratite, and avian species.

      (2) "Compost" is defined by KRS 257.010(4).

      (3) "Owner" is defined by KRS 257.010(9).

      Section 2. Permit Required. (1) The State Veterinarian shall issue permits for animal composting facilities. The cost of the permit shall be twenty-five (25) dollars. The permit shall be renewed at five (5) year intervals.

      (2) A permit application shall include the name and address of the compost owner, the location of the composting facilities, and a description of the facilities and composting procedure.

      (3) All animal composting facilities shall be subject to inspection by the State Veterinarian or his representative.

      (4) Any animal carcasses not composted shall be disposed of in a manner consistent with KRS 257.160.

      Section 3. Permitted Facilities. (1) Permitted facilities shall be constructed to meet or exceed the current United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Practice Standard for Composting Facility, Code 317, in Section IV of the Kentucky Field Office Technical Guide and shall meet the requirements of the Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Plan.

      (2) All processing of dead animals shall be done within the permitted facility.

      (3) Dead animals to be composted shall be temporarily stored indoors on floors constructed of concrete.

      (4) Hazardous materials shall not be used in the composting procedure.

      (5) Reasonable and cost-effective efforts shall be taken to prevent odor, insects, and pests. All carcasses shall be inaccessible to scavengers, livestock, and live poultry.

      (6) Animals weighing over 300 pounds shall be cut into pieces small enough to ensure complete composting.

      (7) The rumens of all ruminate animals shall be vented prior to composting.

      Section 4. Incorporation by Reference. (1) The following material is incorporated by reference:

      (a) United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Practice Standard for Composting Facility, Code 317, in Section IV of the Kentucky Field Office Technical Guide (July, 1998); and

      (b) Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Plan (October 1996, revised May 1999).

      (2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health, 100 Fair Oaks, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (28 Ky.R. 2120; Am. 2332; eff. 5-16-2002.)