’Absolutely no justification’

The NFU has reiterated its strong opposition to proposals which could increase meat inspection charges at abattoirs across England and Wales by as much as 9%.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is consulting on proposed changes to charges for the official meat controls, due to come into force on June 29. Their preferred option is a massive 9% hike, while even the lowest cost option would still mean an increase of 4%.

NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh believes there should in fact be room for a reduction in charges, linked to new efforts to drive down unnecessary costs across the industry.

He said: "I realise that the official meat controls provide assurances that slaughterhouses, meat cutting plants and game-handling establishments produce meat for human consumption that is safe and that animal health and welfare requirements at slaughter are met.

"We’re fully supportive of the need to protect public health. But there is absolutely no justification for any increase, especially in the current economic climate.

"The NFU does agree with the introduction of time-based charging but we don’t want to see any abattoirs, particularly those that are low throughput and in remote areas, experience unnecessary cost burdens.

"We also believe there should be a joint government and industry effort to change regulation, removing, where appropriate, the level of controls needed by external inspection bodies within red meat plants.

"Many of the elements of meat hygiene are for the benefit of the public and it should be within their interest to contribute to the end cost of producing this hygienic and safe meat. This should then be reflected in the tax payer contribution to these controls."