Speaking ahead of a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture on Wednesday, Mr Deane said responsibility lies with Brendan Smith to ensure that the rules and regulations allow full competition, so that cost-effective disposal methods are made available to farmers.

"The Minister must allow for direct delivery to hunts, kennels and rendering plants to break the stranglehold knackeries have in the current system. In remote areas, there must be provision for the burial of fallen animals under licence in suitable, designated sites."

Mr Deane said, "Following strong farmer opposition to the exorbitant fees being charged last week, rendering charges have already been halved in some areas by switching to outlets in the North of Ireland. There is scope for even further reductions."

In the area of collection and delivery, Derek Deane said the excessive costs to the farmer can be removed by exploring alternative transport arrangements.