The Animal Collectors' Association (ACA) has announced a nationwide reduction in services after a "deadlock" in negotiations for a fallen animal scheme.

In a statement, the association said it had "prolonged engagement" with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), and submitted a "detailed targeted business case" on its request for a new scheme.

"We have asked for a substantive response to that on a number of occasions. Despite exhaustive efforts from the ACA, a new fallen animal scheme has not been secured," ACA said.

"Knackery operators have been collecting fallen farm stock while discussions took place despite the cessation of the last scheme, which expired in September 2026. 

"The current position is not sustainable indefinitely," the statement added.

The association said it told the department that its members intended to begin a work-to-rule action and reduction of services from Monday (October 19) "in the absence of an acceptable way forward".

Scrapie

From Monday, fallen sheep collected by ACA-affiliated knackery operators will not be prepared and presented to DAFM vets for sampling for the disease, scrapie.

"This is regrettable from our perspective, but after months of engagement and investment in this process, we cannot continue to extend goodwill without a commitment from the department," ACA said.

The association said it "remains available to engage constructively and hopes an agreement can be reached".

"Our focus is on progressing to an agreement so that further reduction in services can be avoided," the statement added.