March 14, 2006

Inspections of UK meat plants begin

The British Food Standards Agency (FSA) has started an ongoing program of approval visits to all meat plants in the UK to enforce new EU hygiene regulations.

New EU hygiene regulations that came into effect on Jan 1, 2006 require all meat plants in the UK to be approved so that they may continue to trade.

Meat plants that were operating under license at the end of last year are allowed to continue trading until an approval visit has been carried out.

FSA veterinary director, Alick Simmons said the agency will take a firm but fair approach to re-approving meat plants. It will also offer help and support to businesses wherever possible. However, if a meat plant does not take appropriate action to comply with regulations, FSA will not hesitate to refuse approval.

According to FSA, it has been working with the industry in the past 12 months to help businesses comply with the new EU regulations. The agency has also contacted all affected businesses to inform them of the changes in regulations.