Meat processors hail decision to shelve inspection charge increases
The FSA, however, did confirm that a new system to calculate charges based on the length of time inspectors from the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) spent at a facility would come into force later in the year.
Processors praise rethink
The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) welcomed the decision by the FSA to shelve the proposal, approved by the agency’s board in April, which would have seen processors pay ₤800,000 a year more to the MHS for plant checks and audits. The FSA board had originally wanted to impose a further ₤3.5m on meat businesses such as abattoirs and cutting plants.
The agency said the increase plan had been abandoned after UK ministers raised concerns about the extra financial burden on meat processors. The move was part of an initiative to restructure the current charging system and “reduce Government support to meat businesses across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland” said a FSA statement.
BMPA food policy manager Philip Hambling said: “The decision to suspend any increase in charges is very welcome at this difficult time for the processing sector. Credit has to be given to the FSA for listening carefully to industry during the consultation process.”
Efficiency key
He stressed the BMPA’s plan to help companies maximise efficiencies was a key tool in keeping the segment's MHS expenditure manageable.
“The focus for food business operators (FBOs) and MHS in the coming months should be to work together and focus on efficiencies in plant,” said Hambling. “It is now vital that the FSA keep behind the pace of reform and develop a smarter meat inspection regime that will improve safety and remove the inherited inefficiencies that hinder MHS and operators.”
Time-based system
The FSA said that the new system, due to come into force in Northern Ireland on September 27 and September 28 in England, Scotland and Wales, would be based on the “time cost of the inspection process at meat businesses”.
“This means that, if official control time remains unchanged, meat businesses will not face an increase in the charges they pay when time-based charging is introduced,” said the agency. “Charges could be lower for some businesses where official control time is reduced.”
FSA Chief Executive Tim Smith said: “We are pleased that we have reached agreement on the move to time-based charging. That provides a good platform for the Meat Hygiene Service [in Great Britain] and DARD [in Northern Ireland] to continue working closely with the industry to deliver the official controls in the most efficient way.
“It was clear from our discussions with Ministers that there was concern about the introduction of a 4 per cent increase and so there will be no increase in charges at this time.”
