Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security, 4 Volume Set

CARCASS DISPOSAL OPTIONS

ABBEY L. NUTSCH AND JUSTIN J. KASTNER

Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas

1 INTRODUCTION

The US agricultural sector represents one of the world's most bountiful and economically valuable food and fiber systems. Animal agriculture comprises a substantial portion of the overall agricultural sector, with the value of US livestock, poultry, and their products sold in 2002 amounting to over $105 billion [1]. However, as delineated in Homeland Security Presidential Directive 9 [2], “The United States agriculture and food systems are vulnerable to disease, pest, or poisonous agents that occur naturally, are unintentionally introduced, or are intentionally delivered by acts of terrorism.” The enormity, complexity, and diversity of US animal agriculture systems magnify a number of agricultural security challenges, one of which is carcass disposal. Whether at the hand of accidental disease entry, the weather, or an act of bioterrorism, widespread livestock deaths pose daunting carcass disposal challenges that, if not met quickly and effectively, can spiral into major food agricultural security problems and result in devastating economic losses. This article provides an overview of the options, considerations, and challenges associated with the disposal of large numbers of animal carcasses.

2 BACKGROUND

US livestock inventories in 2002 included more than 95 million cattle and calves, over 60 million hogs and pigs, and more than 8 billion broilers and other ...