Expert Opinion: Management of Veterinary Waste

The current advancement of Environmental regulations and Biosecurity Programs to be applied on the farm has made the Management of veterinary waste a part of the work, internalized by all involved agents (farmers, veterinarians, external companies, …).

The main objective of proper management of veterinary waste is to reduce the risks inherent to veterinary activity, which may affect the environment and the control of disease transmission.

This management must be carried out following basic biosecurity guidelines, easy to apply, minimizing the problems that may arise

Although there is a person responsible for the waste area who regularly communicates with the Veterinary Waste Manager, all staff must receive basic training knowledge that allows them to carry out basic tasks

• Place the waste in the corresponding containers and areas
• Identify the waste correctly
• Avoid leaving waste on the ground, as it can be a potential risk source

As with any other external company we work with, it is essential to try to minimize the approach of the managers’ vehicles to the farms, in addition to taking out the containers with waste for delivery outside the fence or to common free transit areas far away – the closer, the more potential risks! Farms tend to set specific days of the week for the removal of veterinary waste to minimize risks, staff planning, and Manager control

In case, at any time or area, there is a spill or breakage of a container with waste, its contents must be placed in another container intended for the same purpose, in addition to disinfecting the affected area.

It is more than advisable to have an intermediate and final storage for veterinary waste.

Intermediate storage consists of temporarily and separately depositing the veterinary waste generated in different areas.

• They should be located near the points of waste generation to avoid or minimize their individual and repetitive transport through different areas of the farm, ensuring correct initial segregation. The size of the containers will depend on the volume and risk associated with the waste deposited inside, and they must have a smooth and stable surface.
• The area where the containers containing veterinary waste will be located must be properly signposted, placing a sign indicating the different types of waste generated at that point of the farm, as well as the container in which they should be placed, so that its interpretation is easy for all staff.
• It is essential that the storage area always has a roof, as all hazardous waste must be located by definition under a roof and identified with its corresponding label, in addition to being placed in its corresponding approved container.
• Do not stack containers.
• They must be transferred to the final storage frequently. Both these intermediate points and the final central storage must have vector and rodent control

A route must be designed from the temporary storages to the final one, which does not pass through sensitive areas in terms of biosecurity, such as maternity. This is a basic measure used in human medicine, pharmacy, chemistry, etc., to prevent contamination.

The integral or final storage is the place where all veterinary waste (coming from intermediate storages) is deposited until it is periodically removed by the final Waste Manager. This storage must meet the following requirements:

• Location within the farm’s fence, but independent and isolated from clean areas of the farm.
• Have a roof, so if it is placed away from the farm and near the perimeter fence, we must build a shed or structure with a roof.
• Clear signage, placing a sign on its exterior indicating:
  • The different types of veterinary waste generated on the farm
  • The container in which the waste should be placed
  • The area within said final storage where each type of container should be placed. For this, areas will be delimited, either by marking the floor or the wall, or clearly indicating it with a sign.
• This storage will be reserved for this exclusive use, or at least clearly separated from nearby areas intended for other uses.
• Adequate natural ventilation and a smooth non-porous surface, to prevent possible leachates.
• Sufficient capacity for the waste to be contained, plus an additional percentage for unforeseen events that may arise on the farm.

To ensure proper organization and cleanliness, it is advisable to limit access to outsiders and prevent the entry of animals. As with other farm activities, it is essential to clean and disinfect the surfaces of the final storage each time it is emptied after delivering the waste to the final Manager