April 3, 2007

 

Meat inspection consultation in UK launched
 

 

The UK food regulator is asking for opinions on its British meat inspections, including charging processors for services and delegating duties to private bodies.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is searching for opinions as part of a review to find how the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) can become more efficient.

 

The meat industry is heavily regulated in the UK compared to the other food sectors and current meat hygiene controls cost the British tax payer about 30 million pounds (44 million euro) per year, according to the FSA.

 

One proposal suggested is to create a "transformed" MHS, which would be required to lessen costs while improving productivity as well as build more effective partnerships with industry. The board report also proposed the development of principles for a new charging and cost-sharing structure.

 

The structure would progressively move towards full recovery from the industry, with the aim to reduce the current FSA subsidy to the MHS.

 

Another proposal favoured by the board was for the FSA to delegate official controls to the private sector.

 

Under EU regulations, the FSA is permitted to select and accredit control bodies and manage them by contract and service level agreements, including removing their accreditation where necessary.

The independent control bodies, whether private, public or voluntary, would employ the veterinarians and inspectors. They would also offer to provide official controls to the plants alongside other services.

 

This option is likely to be favoured by industry but a public opinion opposing such measure is seen as a move towards self-regulation.

 

For smaller meat processors, local authorities may take on more responsibility if the preferred proposals are implemented at the final stage of the review.

 

Opinions are also being sought include how the FSA could audit meat plants, veterinarians and inspectors and whether a single national method of delivery of services is preferable to regional approach.

 

The FSA is accepting feedback until the 11 April 2007 and its form can be downloaded from the FSA website.

The final report with its recommendations will be presented to the FSA Board in July 2007.