Ireland’s latest update on EU approved ABP plants is important for farmers, processors, hauliers and compliance teams across the agri-food chain. Published on gov.ie by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the revised register outlines the approved and registered facilities handling animal by-products under EU law, giving operators a clearer view of the official system in place.
The update, last refreshed on 5 August 2026, confirms that plants handling or processing animal by-products must be approved by the competent authority in line with Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009. For businesses working with by-products, derived materials, storage, disposal, transport or specialist use, the EU approved ABP plants list remains a key compliance resource.
EU Approved ABP Plants: What the Updated Ireland Register Covers
The publication on gov.ie brings together multiple categories of approved and registered premises overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It is particularly relevant to Agriculture businesses, food processors, exporters, veterinary-linked operators and service providers supporting the wider Irish rural economy.
The updated EU approved ABP plants information includes:
- Intermediate plants, hide stores, pet food supply plants, knackeries and wool stores
- Storage plants for processed animal protein, rendered fat, fish oils and certain fertilisers
- Low-capacity incinerators, co-incineration plants and tallow burners
- Rendering and biodiesel processing plants
- Oleo-chemical plants
- Biogas and anaerobic digester plants
- Composting plants
- Petfood plants
- Technical plants and operators using animal by-products outside the feed chain
These records help businesses identify which sites are approved for specific activities and which categories apply under the EU regulatory framework.
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Registered Users, Collection Centres and Other Operators
Beyond processing facilities, the gov.ie publication also details registered users and operators permitted to handle animal by-products for defined purposes. This matters for a broad mix of stakeholders, including research institutions, logistics providers and specialist animal feeding operations.
Section X registered users
The register includes approved uses under Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009, such as:
- Diagnostic, educational and research purposes
- Use for zoo or circus animals
- Other special feeding purposes
The notice also states that some categories currently have no registrations, including necrophagous birds, other wild animals and certain other uses.
Collection centres and other registered operators
The publication further lists:
- Collection centres
- Registered transporters and traders
- Handlers of intermediate products
- End users of organic fertilisers and soil improvers
- Other registered operators working within the ABP system
This is especially useful for businesses managing traceability, audit readiness and supply-chain compliance. Agencies and organisations that often intersect with such regulatory environments include the Revenue Commissioners, Health Service Executive (HSE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food Safety Authority (FSAI), Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland, depending on the nature of the operation.
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Knackery Map and Approved Laboratory Register
Another practical part of the gov.ie release is the inclusion of a knackery location map. The interactive resource shows the locations of knackeries, wool stores, and rendering, composting and biogas plants across Ireland, making the EU approved ABP plants system easier to navigate geographically.
The publication also references the Register of DAFM Approved Laboratories for microbiological testing and Trichinella analysis on samples taken by operators in DAFM-regulated industries. The listed revision notes issue details up to 5 December 2025, excluding in-house laboratories testing for Trichinella.
For operators across Agriculture, Transport, Health, Local Government and Heritage-linked environmental planning, this register supports transparency and regulatory oversight.
Why This Matters for Irish Operators
The updated EU approved ABP plants register gives businesses one official reference point for approved facilities, registered users and related services under the Irish system published on gov.ie. The clear takeaway is simple: any operator dealing with animal by-products in Ireland should check the latest official listings regularly to stay compliant, plan logistics correctly and avoid regulatory risk.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
