Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 61-1C-2 - Definitions2.1. "Backyard poultry flocks" means a group of poultry, in numbers less than 3000 at one time, for the purpose of sale of the poultry or the eggs produced from the poultry, or the raising or keeping of gamebirds. The disposal of poultry mortality from backyard flocks due to flock depopulation, abnormal death losses, or a catastrophic disease outbreak shall conform to this rule.2.2. "Burial" means interment of mortality below the natural surface of the ground. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection shall approve the criteria and the burial site for poultry mortality. The burial site location shall be situated to prevent the contamination of ground and surface waters.2.3. A "Composter" is a roofed structure with an impervious floor, and with treatment areas made of wood, designed for composting organic materials.2.4. "Composting" means a natural process in which beneficial microbes reduce organic waste (poultry mortality) into a biologically safe by-product which is capable of being recycled in the agriculture industry.2.5. "Dead poultry" and "poultry mortality" means all poultry, excluding those intentionally slaughtered, which die as a result of disease, injury or of natural causes.2.6. "Emergency Situations" means situations which involve mass mortality due to flock depopulation, abnormal death losses or a catastrophic disease outbreak.2.7. "Incinerator" means a firebox constructed of masonry or metal in which poultry mortality is completely burned to ashes by the use of fuel.2.8. "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or institution which engages in the raising or keeping of poultry for commercial purposes. A person is further defined as the grower of the poultry regardless of the ownership of the poultry.2.9. "Poultry" means all chickens, ducks, turkeys, or other domestic fowl. 2.10. "Raising or keeping of poultry for commercial purposes" means the growing of a flock of 3000 or more poultry at one time for the purpose of sale of the poultry or the eggs produced from the poultry.2.11. "Rendering" means the treatment of poultry mortality by steam treatment or by cooking at a commercial rendering plant, for a sufficient time to effectively destroy the product for human food purposes and to preclude dissemination of disease through consumption by animals.2.12. "Sanitary Landfill" means a solid waste disposal site permitted or approved by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Poultry mortality intended for disposal in a sanitary landfill shall be delivered to the landfill within 24 hours of death or be refrigerated below 40 degrees Fahrenheit pending delivery. All persons shall hold all poultry mortality in a container that is leak proof, fly proof, and pet and wild animal proof.