Section 345IAC7-7-3. Disposal methods

   (a) Animal carcasses and condemned and inedible waste shall be disposed of by one (1) or more of the following methods:

(1) Removal to a licensed disposal plant.

(2) Burying the carcass or condemned and inedible waste on the owner's premises to a depth of four (4) feet or more, with a covering of at least four (4) feet of earth in addition to any other materials that may be used for covering. The following are prohibited:

(A) Burying a carcass or condemned and inedible waste:

(i) in a location without the landowner's permission; or

(ii) within the corporate limits of a city or town if the burial is prohibited by ordinance.

(B) Placing carcasses in a burial trench or pit without completely covering them with at least four (4) feet of earth.

(3) Thorough and complete incineration of the carcass or condemned and inedible waste in compliance with the standards in this rule.

(4) Thorough and complete composting of the carcass or condemned and inedible waste in compliance with the standards in this rule.

(5) By sale to a plant producing pet food under permit issued by the state veterinarian under IC 15-17-11-25.

(6) Disposal by biodigestion, such as anaerobic digestion, in compliance with the standards in this rule.

(7) Disposal by chemical digestion, such as alkaline hydrolysis reduction, in compliance with the standards in this rule.

(8) Disposal by feeding to exotic animals in compliance with the standards in this rule.

(9) By delivering the animal carcass or waste to a facility approved by the state to operate as a landfill. However, a person may not dispose of animal carcasses or waste in a landfill if other state laws prohibit the landfill from accepting the carcasses or waste. The operator of a landfill is not required by this rule to accept animal carcasses or condemned and inedible waste.

  (b) A person meets the disposal requirement in section 2(b) of this rule if they have arranged for a disposal plant or collection service to pick up the animal carcasses, including a prearranged contract for ongoing periodic collection, even if the actual pickup by the disposal plant or collection service occurs after twenty-four (24) hours have passed. The person responsible for disposal shall secure the carcasses in a manner that can reasonably be expected to prevent other animals from accessing the carcasses prior to pickup. An authorized person may give permission for a disposal plant or collection service to enter a premises as required under IC 15-17-11-19 and section 7(4) of this rule in any manner that communicates their intent, such as:

(1) placing an order to pick up a dead animal; or

(2) entering into a prearranged contract for ongoing periodic collection.

  (c) A person applying for meat or poultry inspection or an exemption from inspection under IC 15-17-5 shall notify the state veterinarian in writing of the method by which the applicant will dispose of the animal carcasses and condemned and inedible waste from the establishment. If the establishment changes the method of disposal, the owner must notify the state veterinarian in writing within fifteen (15) days of the change.

  (d) The state veterinarian may authorize or order that any particular animal or condemned and inedible waste, or any class of animal or waste, be disposed of in a particular manner, including a manner not listed in subsection (a), for the purpose of:

(1) addressing an emergency;

(2) facilitating research;

(3) preventing the spread of disease; or

(4) protecting the public health.

(Indiana State Board of Animal Health; 345 IAC 7-7-3; filed Jan 20, 1988, 4:04 p.m.: 11 IR 1759; readopted filed May 2, 2001, 1:45 p.m.: 24 IR 2895; filed Nov 4, 2002, 12:07 p.m.: 26 IR 694; readopted filed Jul 18, 2008, 8:16 a.m.: 20080813-IR-345080287RFA; errata filed Oct 3, 2008, 3:30 p.m.: 20081022-IR-345080767ACA; filed Jun 16, 2011, 8:46 a.m.: 20110713-IR-345100561FRA)