HANDLING AND DISPOSAL OF POULTRY CARCASSES

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), the commission by rule shall adopt requirements for the safe and adequate handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of poultry carcasses. The rules must: (1) specify the acceptable methods for disposal of poultry carcasses, including: (A) placement in a landfill permitted by the commission to receive municipal solid waste; (B) composting; (C) cremation or incineration; (D) extrusion; (E) on-farm freezing; (F) rendering; and (G) any other method the commission determines to be appropriate; (2) require poultry carcasses stored on the site of a poultry facility to be stored in a varmint-proof receptacle to prevent odor, leakage, or spillage; (3) prohibit the storage of poultry carcasses on the site of a poultry facility for more than 72 hours unless the carcasses are refrigerated or frozen; and (4) authorize the on-site burial of poultry carcasses only in the event of a major die-off that exceeds the capacity of a poultry facility to handle and dispose of poultry carcasses by the normal means used by the facility. (a-1) A rule adopted under Subsection (a) may not apply to the disposal of carcasses of poultry that died as a result of a disease, which is governed by Section 161.004, Agriculture Code. (b) A person must obtain any permit required by other law before disposing of poultry carcasses as provided by Subsection (a)(1).