Any hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic following Brexit could affect the knackery and rendering sectors. A small number of knackery services based in the northern half of the country bring all their fallen animals to rendering plants in Northern Ireland (NI). This is possible because the plants in NI can claim the Department of Agriculture’s rendering subsidy on older cows if a carcase has come from the Republic of Ireland.

This cross-border trade benefits the knackeries close to the border, and their farmer clients, because the general charges levied by the rendering plants in NI tend to be lower than in the Republic.

The 125km rule means that knackeries based further south cannot bring older cows to NI and qualify for the subsidised rendering price. Nonetheless, some of these knackeries bring younger cattle and sheep to the north because of the lower rendering charges there.

This is despite them having to operate extra skips and bins. Some of these knackeries occasionally bring older cows to NI rendering plants too, forfeiting the subsidised price.

Prices for collection and removal of stillborn and casualty calves are unchanged on last year. In most areas, knackeries are charging €25 to €30 to collect and €15 to €20 where the farmer drops in a calf. Prices are higher in some western counties where herds are smaller and collectors’ lorries travel bigger distances. Numbers of dead calves are starting to rise seasonally, according to collectors.

There is more variation in charges for casualty cows. The collection of cows aged under four years costs €70 to €90 or €25 to €30 where dropped in. Charges for older cows are lower, as part of the subsidy given by the Department to rendering plants for testing and disposal of these carcases finds its way back to knackeries and farmers. Charges for these animals are €40 to €50 for collection and €25 to €25 if transported in.

Depending on the area, the charge for ewes is €25 to €30 collected and €20 to €25 dropped in. Most knackeries do not charge for stillborn lambs dropped in.

Mortality rates in adult cattle and sheep are average so far this winter, according to collectors. There were some losses of young cows due to heavy burdens of stomach fluke in December.

Numbers of casualty cows tend to rise in March. Meanwhile, there were some losses of ewes due to liver fluke in December but losses have eased off now.

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