April 7, 2008

UK meat associations angered over increased inspection costs
 

The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) and the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) have hit out at the Food Standard Agency's decision to increase meat inspection costs by 8 percent.

The associations are upset at the decision that is perceived to be harmful to the meat industry, and has called for the freezing of the intended increase while the Meat Hygiene Service is undergoing a period of transition.

It is incredible that the FSA is raising the costs of Meat Hygiene Service when the efficiency and very future of the service is currently under review, said Allan Jess, president of SAMW.

Jess added that while they back the application of hygiene standards to all areas of meat production and processing, the 8 percent increase is too much to pay for an under performing service.

Stuart Roberts, director of BMPA, disagreed to the increased costs as well, citing the inefficient service and that the industry already pays GBP 20 million (US$39.7 million) in excess each year for meat hygiene inspection.

"The FSA view that this is a step towards full cost recovery is also flawed, as it ignores the public good which is delivered by the Meat Hygiene Service. There is a further anomaly with other food businesses which are not expected to pay for environmental health or trading standards visits," said Roberts.