Animal by-products and food waste

If your business deals with any animal by-products, this guidance is relevant to you.

Animal by-products are entire animal bodies, parts of animals, or products of animal origin that are not intended to be eaten by humans.

Businesses that deal with animal by-products include:

  • Fish animal by-productsfarmers
  • food retailers and manufacturers
  • catering outlets
  • slaughterhouse operators
  • butchers
  • gamekeepers 
  • fishmongers
  • tanneries
  • waste disposal businesses
  • zoos and circuses
  • recognised kennels or hound packs
  • animal feed suppliers
  • vets

The Animal By-Products Regulations aim to protect human and animal health and the environment.

They contain rules for the collection, storage, transport, handling, processing, use and disposal of animal by-products. They also control the marketing and export of animal by-products and products derived from them.

In this guideline: