Climate
Sustainably Dealing with Avian Influenza and African Swine Fever Outbreaks in Italy
Case Study 16
In response to the unprecedented 2021–2022 outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (AI) in Italy, culled birds from infected poultry farms were safely transported and disposed of at several animal by-product processing plants across Italy. Similarly in 2023–2024, following the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), pigs and meat from infected farms were handled by rendering plants.
Essential Biosecurity Role
These plants provide essential biosecurity, segregating bio-risk material from the environment and making it safe by thermal treatment. The benefit of this disposal route over others is that the products derived from the condemned material have sustainable applications, giving additional value to the otherwise waste material.
Category 2 ABP Material
The condemned material is Category 2 ABP material and can be processed in either Category 1 or 2 processing plants. It is converted into meat and bonemeal (MBM) and animal fat which are used in fertiliser and energy recovery applications. Obtaining some value from this material is very important to farmers who suffer huge financial losses when infected livestock is diverted away from food production routes.
The AI and ASF outbreaks were not just in Italy. Sustainable processing of condemned material was undertaken across Europe at sites operated by EFPRA members.
During the AI outbreak in the Veneto region, and during the management of ASF which spread to various areas of the Po valley, approximately 50,000 tonnes of condemned material (broilers, egg layers, turkeys, pigs and pig meat) were disposed of at 11 Italian rendering plants across the country. The locations of the sites by region and type of ABP category material processed is illustrated in Figure 1.
The exact amounts of condemned material processed in Category 1 and 2 plants is unavailable but the Italian rendering association, Assograsbi, estimates that, based on a 20:80 split of the condemned material, over 20,000 tonnes of products were derived. This is illustrated in Figure 2.
Figure 1: Sites Processing AI & ASF Condemned Material by Region & Category
Figure 2: Derived Product Applications from AI and ASF Condemned Material
Sustainable Outcomes & Climate Benefits
Energy Recovery
Animal fat yields around 38 MJ/kg of energy, while MBM provides around 16 MJ/kg. Use in biofuel and biodiesel applications reduces CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels. Emissions reduction is based on 10g CO₂eq/MJ.
Fertiliser Value
MBM contains approximately 9% nitrogen and 5% phosphorus, replacing primary, scarce fertiliser ingredients and avoiding the associated emissions from their extraction and manufacture.
Biogas Processing
Some condemned material was also processed directly in a biosecure biogas plant, further extending the range of sustainable disposal and energy recovery options available to Italian rendering operators.
Next: Case Study 17