Veterinary Compliance Assistance

HorseARIZONA

Carcass Disposal State Regulations

General

Depending on circumstances, large animal carcass disposal may be regulated by a state's solid waste, medical waste, agriculture, or emergency management regulations. If your state does not provide specific guidance or regulations relating to large animal carcass disposal, check with your local health department, or city/county laws and ordinances.

In addition, during emergency situations and disasters (e.g., blizzards, floods, hurricanes, mass die-offs, etc.), consult with your local emergency officials, your state emergency planning agency, or the state veterinarian, to determine approved methods of carcass disposal.


Applicable Agencies and Regulations for Arizona

Arizona Department of Agriculture

Address: 1688 West Adams St., Phoenix, AZ 85007

Contact Information: http://www.azda.gov/main/contactconst.asp

Rules and Regulations: R3-2-206. Agriculture, Meat and Poultry Inspection, Purchase, Sale, Collection, Transportation, Disposition, and Use of Meat or Meat Food Products; Dead Animals; Animal bone, Animal Fat, Animal Offal. A carcass with the hide, hair, or pelt still on the carcass may be bought, sold, offered for sale, collected and transported to or received by the following only: (a) A rendering or tallow plant; (b) A state or county diagnostic laboratory, a veterinarian's clinic, or crematory; (c) An animal food manufacturing plant; (d) A landfill regulated by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality; (e) An out-of-state landfill regulated by that state's landfill regulatory authority; or (f) A landfill located on a Native American reservation that is regulated by equivalent standards to those prescribed by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

Address: 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ

Contact Information: http://www.azdeq.gov/function/about/contact.html

Rules and Regulations: R18-13-311 and R18-13-312. Environmental Quality, Solid Waste Management, Refuse and Other Objectionable Wastes, Disposal: General and Methods of Disposal. Carcasses of large dead animals shall be buried or cremated, unless satisfactory arrangements have been made for disposal by rendering or other approved methods.


More Information

The Cornell Waste Management Institute (CWMI) maintains a database of carcass disposal state regulations promulgated by state environmental, agricultural and other agencies. There may be additional information on this site, not found on VetCA, that can be helpful to veterinarians, ranchers and farmers. Click here to access the CWMI information for Arizona.

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