Authority for Justice and Consumer Protection
Apply for an exemption for the collection and cremation of equidae
If you would like to collect and cremate dead equine animals (equids), such as horses or various species of donkeys and zebras, you need an exemption from the responsible authority.
An exemption from the obligation to dispose of animals before the animal dies is not possible.
Likewise, the collection of a dead equine from a chemical veterinary and examination office (CVUA) for cremation is excluded for epidemic hygiene reasons.
The incineration plant must be located domestically.
A separate application must be submitted for cremation abroad.
Submit a copy of the equine passport and a veterinary certificate with your application.
If equids are not collected immediately for incineration, they must be stored in an intermediate treatment facility for category 1 or 2 material, in a veterinary practice or in a veterinary training facility in such a way that they are protected from the effects of the weather and that people are not allowed to come into contact with them and animals are not allowed to come into contact with them can come.
In the event of shipment to another EU member state, the following must also be noted:
a.) When transporting a dead equine to another EU Member State, the transport company or crematorium in charge must inform the competent authorities of the Member State of origin and the Member State of destination before the transport. The competent authority of the relevant Member State to which the animal carcass is to be transported for cremation must authorize the movement (Article 48 of Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009). This Article 48 permit is aimed at the animal owner. It can also be issued to the transport company, but the animal owner must ensure that the authorization also applies to his equine. Alternatively, the Article 48 permit can also be issued to an approved intermediate treatment facility in Germany, in which animal carcasses to be cremated are collected and cooled and stored until transport. In addition to No. 2, the Art. 48 permit must also have been issued before the shipment.
b.) Deviating from No. 5, the commissioned transport company must issue the commercial document in accordance with Annex VIII Chapter III of Regulation (EU) No. 142/2011 and the TRACES report in accordance with Article 48 Para. 3 of Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009 to be carried out.
Apply for the exemption immediately after the death of the equine.
No
The fees depend on the effort involved in processing.
Keywords: Animal by-products equidae Collection and cremation disposal obligation combustion incinerator
Last updated: 14.02.2026