More than 20 million tonnes of animal by-products are generated annually in countries belonging to the European Union. This carries with it the risk of transmitting animal diseases and chemical pollution. By-products of animal origin constitute a threat to human and animal health, therefore they are subject to strict rules of transport, storage and disposal. Animal by-products include, inter alia, whole or parts of dead animals, animal products or other products derived from animals not intended for human consumption (e.g. hides, horns, hair).