July 2, 2009
UK's FSA backtracks on new charges for meat hygiene
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced that a proposed four-percent increase in meat hygiene charges in slaughterhouses will not go ahead this autumn.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead welcomed the decision, saying that it is not the right time to increase the level of MHS charges due to the current economic climate.
The MHS transformation project has already resulted in a sharp reduction of running costs and offers the prospect of achieving further efficiency gains in both the short and longer term, Lochhead said, adding that it is another positive step for the meat sector.
