Despite being supportive of most of the recommendations in the review, SAMW is highly critical of the lack of any independent assessment of budget projections relating to future UK meat controls.

The association warns that if the budget projections are accepted as currently proposed, then meat inspection charges could rise from the current £4 per cattle beast to about £9 per head under the new format.

Almost inevitably that cost would be passed back to farmers.

Allan Jess, president of SAMW, said: "The review was undertaken to address two key concerns. First and foremost, we require a meat inspection service which delivers hygiene assurances for consumers in keeping with the level of risk management standards which apply to all other EU member states.

"Secondly, that service must be provided on a fully sustainable and cost-effective basis.

"The review recommendations make some useful steps towards the delivery of a modern risk-management service, progress which we support.

"Unfortunately, recommendations in relation to cost-effectiveness do not seem to be in keeping with levels achieved elsewhere in the world and do not appear to have been subjected to any outside scrutiny.

"The net result is deeply disappointing."

SAMW points out that when the meat inspection regime of the Netherlands was revised, costs were cut by 40 per cent. The best that is on offer to the UK industry is a 14 per cent saving over the next four years.

Budget projections as provided by the Meat Hygiene Service envisage a net saving of just £4 million - operating costs falling from £89m to £85m over the three years following the 2007-8 budget year. During the same period, it is projected that industry charges will increase by £11m to £65m.

Source: Scotsman