(1)

Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 (2) lays down public and animal health rules for placing on the market and export of animal by-products and derived products.

(2)

Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 stipulates that Category 1 meat-and-bone meal (MBM) should be disposed of by incineration, co-incineration, combustion or landfill to prevent the re-entry and contamination of the feed chain.

(3)

In 2021 the competent authorities of Ireland indicated they were building plants for the combustion of meat-and-bone meal, and requested that during a transitional period traditional trade flows of MBM of Category 1 materials intended for disposal in the United Kingdom be authorised. The Commission granted the requested derogation until 31 December 2023 by Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/899 (3).

(4)

On April 2023, the competent authorities of Ireland informed the Commission about several delays in the foreseen planning and asked the Commission for extension of the transitional period from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2025. The Commission supports the efforts of Ireland to establish its own combustion capacities for disposal of animal by-products. The transitional period should therefore be prolonged for 18 months starting from 1 January 2024. This period should be used as appropriate to finalize the ongoing projects for capacity building of combustion plants in Ireland.

(5)

Annex XIV to Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,