Waste cooking oil from catering premises can no longer be used as an ingredient in animal feed, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, has stressed.
"Anyone using waste cooking oil from catering premises as an animal feed, as an ingredient in animal feed or who consigns their waste cooking oil to such animal feed operations will be committing an offence," said a DARD spokesman.
"Waste cooking oils from food manufacturing, and fresh or unused cooking oil, can continue to be used in animal feed."
The spokesman added: "If you produce waste cooking oil as a part of your catering business (for example as a chip shop or other take away outlet or restaurant), then you must ensure that it is stored properly, that none is allowed to spill and that it is collected by an authorised collector."
It was anticipated that the majority of catering premises would be able to continue to have their waste cooking oil taken away by their usual collectors, the spokesman pointed out. "However, the collector will now be expected to supply the waste cooking oil for use in biodiesel production, electricity production, use in the oleochemical industry (an industry centred on the production of chemical derivatives from naturally occurring animal and vegetable fats and oils) or other suitable outlets.
"Waste cooking oil must not be poured down drains or sewers as this leads to blockages and odour or vermin problems and may also pollute watercourses. Such action could also result in potential prosecution," the spokesman warned.
The ban on the feeding to livestock of catering waste has been introduced as a measure to safeguard public and animal health under the Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 and applies across Europe, including the United Kingdom. In most Member States, the ban has applied since May 2002, but from November 1, 2004 in the UK.
Catering waste includes used cooking oils from restaurants and catering facilities and kitchens, including household and central kitchens, but does not include used cooking oils from manufacturing premises. Oils from manufacturing premises can continue to be used in animal feed provided a creditable system of traceability can be ensured.
