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Citation suggérée :Anses. (2022). Rapport relatif à l’évaluation du risque relatif à l’enfouissement des cadavres issus d’animaux d’élevage et/ou de la faune sauvage (saisine 2020-SA-0011). Maisons-Alfort : Anses, 134 p; L’évaluation demandée porte sur le risque de propagation de microorganismes potentiellement pathogènes par les cadavres et les sous-produits d’animaux d’élevage ou de la faune sauvage, lors de leur stockage ou de leur enfouissement (en utilisant ou non de la chaux). Cette demande s’inscrit dans le cadre de la découverte de cadavres qui ne peuvent pas être collectés et/ou acheminés dans la filière de transformation des sous-produits animaux, ou dans celui de surmortalité importante : - dans un contexte sans cause infectieuse identifiée (e.g. canicule, inondation). En effet, pendant les derniers épisodes de canicule en 2019-2020, les capacités des usines d’équarrissage ont été dépassées et ces dernières se sont trouvées dans l’incapacité de fonctionner normalement. Si un dépeuplement par abattage est planifié, les usines d’équarrissage ont la capacité de s’organiser et de prendre en charge la transformation de tous les cadavres. Le contexte est différent en cas de canicule où beaucoup d’animaux meurent brutalement dans un laps de temps très court, sans planification possible. De plus, en cas de forte chaleur, les cadavres d’animaux laissés à température ambiante se dégradent très rapidement. C’est notamment le cas des cadavres de volailles, les cadavres se liquéfiant et devenant difficiles à manipuler et à transporter. Par ailleurs, les cadavres trop dégradés ne peuvent pas être éliminés au niveau d’une usine d’équarrissage, les matières trop liquides ayant tendance à bloquer le processus; - dans un contexte sanitaire défavorable. Certains agents pathogènes peuvent entraîner des mortalités importantes au sein d’un élevage ou même d’une filière de production. En plus des mortalités directes induites par l’agent pathogène, des mesures de dépeuplement peuvent également être instaurées afin de maîtriser la diffusion de l’infection (e.g. influenza aviaire ou fièvre aphteuse). Dans une telle situation, les capacités de traitement des usines d’équarrissage peuvent aussi être dépassées et nécessiter la mise en place de mesures alternatives de gestion des cadavres. Par rapport à la situation précédente (sans cause infectieuse particulière), le risque de diffusion de l’agent pathogène est à prendre en compte.

This review focuses on existing technologies for carcass and corpse disposal and potential alternative treatment strategies. Furthermore, key issues related to these treatments (e.g., carcass and corpse disposal events, available methods, performances, and limitations) are addressed in conjunction with associated environmental impacts. Simultaneously, various treatment technologies have been evaluated to provide insights into the adsorptive removal of specific pollutants derived from carcass disposal and management. In this regard, it has been proposed that a low-cost pollutant sorbent may be utilized, namely, biochar. Biochar has demonstrated the ability to remove (in)organic pollutants and excess nutrients from soils and waters; thus, we identify possible biochar uses for soil and water remediation at carcass and corpse disposal sites. To date, however, little emphasis has been placed on potential biochar use to manage such disposal sites. We highlight the need for strategic efforts to accurately assess biochar effectiveness when applied towards the remediation of complex pollutants produced and circulated within carcass and corpse burial systems. Graphical Abstract

Carcass disposal from livestock disease outbreaks or on-farm, routine mortalities present a number of challenges. Proper management of carcasses can no longer be addressed as an incidental occurrence, as they represent a persistent pathway of infectious agricultural wastes with potential to harm the environment. The long-term management of carcass disposal sites is essential irrespective of the cause of mortality. Critically this ensures eradication of disease and environmental protection from a range of biological and chemical hazards. Strategies for large-scale carcass disposal require preparation and coordinated, proactive planning in advance of emergencies to meet environmental protection guidelines and maximize the efficiency of response. Carcass disposal methods include burial, incineration, composting, alkaline hydrolysis, lactic acid fermentation and anaerobic digestion. Burial techniques include trench burial, landfill, and notably mass burial as one of the most common methods of disposal. However, there are concerns about possible impacts to the environment and subsequent risk to human health regardless of the initial logistical and economic advantages. This review provides an overview of our current understanding of the potential threats of carcass burial and possible management options. The environmental implications of terminating burials is discussed as is the role of biochar and phytoremediation which can contribute to the management of burials. These examples are considered in the case study context of Korea where long-term considerations remain a priority. The outcome of the review is structured to provide information to decision-makers that is of value when equipping themselves with comprehensive guidelines for the sustained management of carcass burials. Finally, recommendations that address future research needs are outlined.

Widespread outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza occurred in South Korea during 2010. In response to the culling of many animals to attenuate the spread of disease, South Korea used mass burial sites to dispose of the large number of carcasses; consequently, concerns about groundwater contamination by leachate from these burial sites are increasing. Groundwater is one of the main sources of drinking water, and its cleanliness is directly related to public health. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the safety of groundwater around the burial sites (total of 600 sites). A total of 1,200 groundwater samples were collected though the country, and microbial analysis was conducted during two time periods: during the spring (n = 600; April to June 2012) and after rainfall (n = 600; August to October, 2012; fall). Fecal coliform and Escherichia coli were detected in 173 (14.4%) and 85 (7.1%) of the 1,200 samples, respectively. Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. each were detected only once (0.083%). Clostridium perfringens was detected from 7 groundwater samples (0.583%), and E. coli O157:H7 was not detected. With respect to norovirus, only the GII type was detected from six groundwater samples (0.5%), and enterovirus was detected in 15 groundwater samples (1.25%). The frequency of E. coli that we detected was lower than that found in previous studies conducted in South Korea, but we detected higher frequency of fecal coliform than that observed in a previous report. The contamination frequencies of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. were very low, but C. perfringens, which could be an indicator of fecal pollution, was detected in seven regions. Overall, the results of the present study indicate a low possibility of contamination from burial sites. However, consistent monitoring is required to prevent microbial contamination of groundwater near the burial sites.