The state of Maine, Biocycle Magazine and other groups are sponsoring a Symposium on Composting Mortalities and Slaughterhouse Residuals on May 24 and 25 in South Portland, Maine.

Options for disposal of mortalities (animal carcasses) and slaughterhouse waste are becoming more limited and costly, due to closure of rendering plants, landfill restrictions or availability, and the impracticality of incineration, especially following disease outbreaks and natural disasters that can generate large quantities of carcasses.

Composting can be one answer to this difficult problem for the agriculture and food processing industries.

Themes to be addressed during the two day workshop, which will include field demonstrations of composting options, are: Rendering costs and availability; Mortality management; Biosecurity on farms; Emergency preparedness; Response to natural disasters that cause mass casualties; Disease outbreaks in livestock and wildlife; Disposition of composted end product; Research findings and needs; Public policy and regulations; and Marine mammal beachings.

For more information visit the Symposium webpage.

4/8/2005