Call for Intervention on Inspection Charges

UK - UK's farmers have called for a complete review of the Food Standards Agency proposalsover meat inspection charges.
calendar icon 2 February 2011
clock icon 2 minute read
National Farmers Union

The National Farmers' Union has completed its formal response to the Food Standard Agency’s consultation on full cost recovery for official controls in meat plants, which could see the lion share of £32 million in costs being shouldered by livestock farmers.

Reiterating its complete opposition to the FSA proposals, the NFU has said a full review of the FSA’s delivery of meat inspections needs to be carried out, and market tested, to identify where cost-savings can be made before industry is forced to face a huge bill it can ill afford.

NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh said “Official meat controls remain a legal requirement and provide a wider service to society. It cannot simply be said that these controls are a business service for which the industry must foot the entire bill.

“Additional costs of £32 million could potentially force many farmers, who are already struggling to turn a profit, out of business.

“This consultation comes at a time when farmers, like other industries, are facing huge increases in costs for feed, fuel and fertiliser.

"The Eblex Business Pointers report shows that the majority of livestock producers are already operating at a loss and Defra’s recently published Farm Business Income forecasts that farm income for producers in less favoured areas will fall by a third this year.

"These proposals threaten the viability and sustainability of livestock production in the UK and, at a time when we are being asked by government to increase food production in this country; this cannot be ignored.

“If the FSA isn’t willing to change its views, then the Government must intervene.”

TheCattleSite News Desk

© 2000 - 2024 - Global Ag Media. All Rights Reserved | No part of this site may be reproduced without permission.