NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh today recognised that the Food Standards Agency had listened to the concerns of the industry regarding changes to meat control charges but expressed concern that the new level of charges could have an impact on the whole supply chain.
The FSA board has decided, following consultation with the industry, to approve an increase of four per cent to charges for official controls in UK meat businesses. It is also introducing a new system of calculating charges based on the time cost of the inspection process, and has decided not to go ahead with the plan to introduce a new charge for controls on the removal of specified risk material.
Mr Mackintosh said while the four per cent increase was the lowest option within the consultation any cost increase in the current economic climate was unwelcome.
He said: “While we recognise the fact the FSA appears to have taken on board a lot of the comments from the consultation process, and chosen the lowest proposed cost increase, we feel any increase is less than ideal especially in the current economic climate where there are growing pressures being placed on the whole of the meat supply chain.
“We’re extremely concerned that any additional costs could have an impact on the operational viability of meat plants and, therefore, the production chain as a whole because inevitably increased costs will get passed back down the chain.”
Mr Mackintosh said the NFU supported the new system of calculating charges which should give businesses more power to reduce their overheads and offset any increased charging costs. He also called on the FSA to work with industry to help reduce the regulatory burden where possible, and in particular work closely to ensure these changes do not adversely affect smaller and more geographically remote abattoirs which perform an invaluable service in rural communities.
“We also urge the FSA to work in partnership with the industry to look at the burden of meat hygiene and TSE controls and ways in which we can make these controls more risk-based and proportionate and reduce the burden on the whole supply chain.”
Notes to editors:
1. For more details of the FSA board’s decision click here.