Ireland has updated its public listing of EU approved ABP plants, giving farmers, processors, hauliers and compliance teams a clearer view of authorised animal by-products facilities. Published on gov.ie by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the latest update is an important reference point for anyone working across Agriculture, Food safety and regulated waste streams in Ireland.
The publication confirms that plants handling or processing animal by-products must be approved by the competent authority under Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009. In practice, the EU approved ABP plants register helps businesses verify whether facilities are authorised for collection, storage, processing, transport or specialised use of animal by-products and derived products.
EU Approved ABP Plants: What the updated Ireland register includes
The updated gov.ie publication brings together several categories of approved and registered operators overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It is designed to support transparency, regulatory compliance and easier access to official records for the wider agri-food sector.
The register includes downloadable lists for:
- Intermediate plants, hide stores, knackeries, wool stores and plants supplying pet food
- Storage plants for processed animal protein, rendered fat, fish oils and certain fertilisers
- Low-capacity incinerators and tallow burners
- Rendering and biodiesel processing plants
- Oleo-chemical plants
- Biogas and anaerobic digester plants
- Composting plants
- Petfood plants
- Plants and establishments using animal by-products outside the feed chain
- Collection centres
- Other registered operators, including transporters and traders
The publication also includes a knackery location map and the Register of DAFM Approved Laboratories for microbiological and Trichinella testing in regulated industries.
Why the EU approved ABP plants list matters for Ireland
For operators across Agriculture and rural enterprise, the EU approved ABP plants list is more than an administrative update. It acts as a practical compliance tool for businesses dealing with disposal, storage, processing and movement of animal by-products. It may also be relevant to organisations interacting with the Revenue Commissioners, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Health Service Executive (HSE) and Local Government authorities where licensing, waste handling or public health oversight overlaps.
Key reasons the register matters include:
- Compliance: It helps businesses confirm that facilities are formally approved or registered.
- Traceability: It supports supply-chain accountability in Ireland’s food and animal by-products systems.
- Planning: It gives farmers, processors and service providers a current reference for available facilities.
- Inspection readiness: It assists operators preparing for checks linked to Department requirements and wider regulatory obligations.
Section X registered users and special uses
The gov.ie update also covers Section X registered users for specific purposes under Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009. These include diagnostic, educational and research uses, zoo or circus animal use, and other special feeding purposes. Some categories currently show no registrations, which is also useful information for operators seeking clarity on the Irish regulatory landscape.
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Laboratories, transporters and location mapping
Beyond the main EU approved ABP plants categories, the updated publication highlights supporting infrastructure that matters to the sector. This includes collection centres, registered transporters, traders, handlers of intermediate products, end users of organic fertilisers and soil improvers, plus the official laboratory register.
The knackery location map is particularly useful for businesses needing a geographical overview of knackeries, wool stores, rendering plants, composting plants and biogas facilities across Ireland. For businesses that rely on official data from gov.ie, the Department of the Taoiseach, CSO or sector agencies, this kind of mapping strengthens operational planning and compliance checks.
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What businesses should do next
If your organisation handles animal by-products in any form, the safest next step is to review the latest EU approved ABP plants publication on gov.ie and confirm the status of any facility, laboratory or operator you use. In a highly regulated environment touching Agriculture, Health, Transport and environmental compliance, using the current EU approved ABP plants register can reduce risk and improve confidence in day-to-day operations.
For Ireland’s agri-food chain, the takeaway is simple: the EU approved ABP plants update is an essential official resource for staying compliant, informed and operationally prepared.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
