Collection of animal carcasses by theknacker Atemax has been disrupted since Monday, August 19, 2024 in several departments in the north of France, including Haute-Saonethe Côte d’Orand the Haute-Marne.
A factory in difficulty in Aisne
At the origin of these disturbances, the heat waves recorded at the end of July and the beginning of August, which slow down processing activity due to of the “degraded state of the carcasses (particularly poultry)” and train “the accumulation of stocks at the factory, as well as in the collection centers in the area”explains the knacker’s yard Atemax, relayed by the GDS 53. Epizootic diseases, including bluetongue and avian influenza, also cause excess mortality in livestock farms.
The Vénérolles factory, in theAisneis particularly impacted. Earlier in the month, the St-Langis plant in theOrne had already experienced similar problems.
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When will the collection of rendering plants return to normal?
Back to normal “is measured more in weeks than in days”explains Sophie Grégoire, communications director of Atemax, to France Bleu Besançon. “We are now forced to find alternative solutions: transfer our stock to other companies, bury or incinerate the carcasses. We have more than 800 tonnes of animal matter to process if we hope to restore the situation.”. Collection centers have reduced the collection tours. “We deplore this and remain determined to honour our service to breeders and to guarantee health safety on farms,” emphasizes the knacker.
Atemax works in collaboration with the health authorities departmental for “implement alternative solutions to ensure the rendering service”, according to GDS 53.
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What should I do if there is a delay in the collection of knackery from my farm?
While waiting for a return to normal, the breeders are encouraged to ” keep the bodies in their farms, as shaded and cool as possible while waiting for the situation to improve,” explains Thierry Chalmin, president of the Haute-Saône chamber of agriculture, to France Bleu Besançon.
Covering the corpses with straw can slow down the decomposition process. Conversely, plastic sheeting is not recommended. Finally, the use of lime should also be avoided, as it reacts during treatment and compromises the recovery of the plants.
