Biological Safety of a Process for the Hydrolysis on-Farm of Dead Rabbits 1 Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Biological Hazards

SUMMARY Following a request from the Spanish Competent Authority, the EFSA Scientific Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) was asked to deliver a Scientific Opinion on the biological safety of a specific process for the Hydrolysis on-Farm of Dead Pigs. The application concerns the on-farm treatment of pig carcasses and other pig by-products 2 , which are considered as Category 2 animal by-products according to Reg. (EC) No 1774/2002, through an enzymatic hydrolysis in mesophilic and partially anaerobic conditions within a closed vat for a period of minimum six months. The intended end-use of the processed material is represented by its utilisation as organic fertilizer or soil improver, as composting material, as biogas production material or as a material to be delivered to a waste management unit for disposal. The BIOHAZ Panel concluded that, due to some deficiencies in the provided dossier, it was not possible to assess the safety of the process for the disposal or use of Category 2 animal byproducts. The BIOHAZ Panel does not recommend this process to be applied as an alternative method of disposal or use of Category 2 animal by-products.