International catering waste controls

Catering waste unloaded from vessels which operate outside of European Union is subject to waste management controls. This is to prevent any possible transmission of disease from animal by-products, such as Foot and Mouth disease, to animals in the UK.

What is catering waste?

Catering waste is, all waste food, including used cooking oil originating in restaurants, catering facilities and kitchens including central kitchens and household kitchens' as defined in Annex 1 (22) of the Animal By-Product (England) Regulations 2011.

All foodstuffs in stores, which are destined for human consumption on board a vessel, are part of the catering facilities.

What controls impact waste unloaded from vessels?

Catering waste unloaded from vessels which operate outside of European Union is subject to waste management controls. This is to prevent any possible transmission of disease from animal by-products, such as Foot and Mouth disease, to animals in the UK.

International Catering Waste (ICW) is treated as Category 1 waste, and subject to strict controls on how it should be handled and disposed of.

ICW is defined as catering waste that originates from means of transport operating internationally outside of the EU. ICW is considered to be high risk Category 1 animal by-product.

ICW is subject to strict controls to prevent the introduction of exotic notifiable diseases, such as foot and mouth disease, into the UK. There is a risk that disease could be spread if farmed or feral animals are able to come into contact with ICW and the legislation establishes controls which are designed to minimise this risk.