[Rendering of animal material in the Netherlands (author's transl)].

Just before the World War II rendering of all material of animal origin unfit for human and animal consumption was a fact and was later on regulated by Decree in 1942. The rendering act dates from 1957 referring to as "processing into useful product". There is a compulsery rendering which means that withdrawal of the material mentioned from rendering is in general prohibited. Material for rendering must be notified. In use is the dry rendering system (atmospheric batch cookers). At the moment there are four (three large and one small) rendering plants, the first being established in 1926, and they are under strict government supervision but not under government management. A licence is needed. Supervision is carried out by the Veterinary Public Health Inspectorate. After heating no micro-organism must be present and therefore regular checks for Clostridium perfringens as an indicator organism are carried out besides a contol of ther thermocharts. Recontamination should be avoided. As a result of the extensive bacteriological control since 1972 (Salmonella and other enterobacteriaceae, the latter as indicator organisms) there has been noticed a still growing improvement of the hygienic condition in the rendering plants. During the past half year Salmonella could not be isolated from samples endproduct. Transportation of raw material for rendering after notification to the head of the municipal meat inspection service is done by the rendering plant in completely watertight vehicles. There is a Rendering Board which must be consulted when legislative measures related to rendering are taken.