Dead Animals

The discharge of dead animals into pits on rural properties is a widespread practice and can be an effective method of disposing of dead stock. However dead animal matter is a source of nitrate and disease causing micro-organisms in groundwater. The Resource Management Act requires discharges into the environment to be authorised. This can be done in a plan, or a resource consent. 

Environmental Canterbury has prepared a rule on the use, siting and construction of offal pits in the Natural Resources Regional Plan.   This rule sets out conditions for the use, siting and construction of offal pits in Canterbury.  In the interim the council has developed some guidelines that should be followed.