OHIO

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 Ohio

Ohio Department of Agriculture

Address: 8995 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Contact Information: http://www.agri.ohio.gov/contacts.aspx

Rules and Regulations: Ohio Revised Code: Title IX Agriculture - Animals - Fences: Chapter 941: Animal Diseases - 941.14 Disposal of dead or destroyed animals. Dead animals must be buried, burned, rendered or otherwise disposed of in accordance with section 953.26 (sale and use of raw rendering material) or 1511.022 (Composting of dead animals - click on Ohio Division of Soil and Water Conservation).

Ohio Division of Soil and Water Conservation

Address: 2045 Morse Rd #B, Columbus, OH 43229

Rules and Regulations: Ohio Revised Code: Title XV Conservation of Natural Resources: Chapter 1511: Division of Soil and Water Conservation, 1511.022 Composting of dead animals. Persons who wish to conduct composting of dead animals from agricultural operations must participate in an educational course concerning composting conducted by the Ohio Cooperative Extension Service and use the appropriate method, technique or practice of composting established in rules adopted under division (E) (10) of section 1511.02 of the revised code (see below).

Rules and Regulations: Ohio Revised Code 1511.02 (E) (10). The chief of the division of soil and water conservation, subject to the approval of the director or natural resources, shall do all of the following: (E) Subject to the approval of the Ohio soil and water conservation commission, adopt, amend, or rescind rules pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Revised Code. Rules adopted pursuant to this section: (10) Shall do all of the following with regard to composting conducted in conjunction with agricultural operations: (a) Provide for the distribution of educational material concerning composting to the offices of the Ohio cooperative extension service for the purposes of section 1511.022 of the Revised Code; (b) Establish methods, techniques, or practices for composting dead animals, or particular types of dead animals, that are to be used at such operations, as the chief considers to be necessary or appropriate; (c) Establish requirements and procedures governing the review and approval or disapproval of composting plans by the supervisors of soil and water conservation districts under division (U) of section 1515.08 of the Revised Code.

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 Ohio.

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