JEFFERSON CITY, MO, — The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is issuing an advisory regarding the proper disposal of deer processing byproducts. Due to the potential for surface water and groundwater contamination, the department recommends the deer processing byproducts be disposed of through permitted waste handlers. State law allows disposal of butchering waste in a permitted landfill. Onsite disposal of this material at processing facilities is not legal.
On Nov. 12, the Federal Food and Drug Administration announced a ban on any animal feed ingredients that may potentially include deer or elk that either test positive for chronic wasting disease or are at high risk for the disease. While no cases of this disease have been found in Missouri deer, the ban may increase the potential for rendering facilities to not accept the deer processing byproducts.
For further information on proper disposal options for deer processing byproducts, call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-361-4827 or (573) 751-5401.
For further information on chronic wasting disease, contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health at (573) 751-3377, the Missouri Department of Conservation Research Center at (573) 882-9880 or the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ Section of Communicable Disease Control and Veterinary Public Health at (573) 751-6113.