In an open letter, COVID-19 incident director Dr Collin Sullivan and acting chief operating officer Martin Evans reiterated the FSA’s continued efforts to support the meat industry.
The letter followed a number of contingency plans set out by the FSA to help meat plant and abattoir operations weather the devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on the industry.
“The importance of the meat sector to the food supply chain has never been more apparent, and the vital role of those working in it has never been more evident,” read the letter.
Industry co-operation
“We are hugely grateful for the co-operation from industry and individual businesses we have had in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, and this collaboration will be even more important in the coming weeks and months.”
The FSA has led the ongoing co-ordination and engagement with industry and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Through interaction with the key players in the industry each day, the organisation planned to ensure a consistent approach across the country.
Sullivan and Evans expressed their gratitude to those in the industry who had risen to the challenge that social distancing presented at their sites and had looked after the health and safety of FSA members that worked there.
“There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to this problem and we know each and every site will face different issues in how they implement these measures,” the letter added.
Maintaining the status quo
“We continue to work with sites to assist them to deliver these arrangements in the most practical way possible, to allow your staff and our staff to maintain food production and meat inspection at their premises.”
The FSA extended its support to all staff in the meat industry and welcomed anyone looking to discuss the challenges they were facing in their business with its local field managers.
Meanwhile, The Federation of Bakers (FoB) has shared the measures it has taken to ensure supplies continue during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in a letter of reassurance to the industry.
In an open letter to the industry, FoB chief executive Gordon Polson stressed the importance of working together with the Government to ensure a continuous supply of quality bakery goods to meet the increased consumer demand during this “unprecedented time”.