Rallying call for farmers to join NFU against FSA cost recovery plans

Plans by the Food Standards Agency to recover full costs for meat controls from the livestock industry will be discussed during a round of public meetings as part of an on-going consultation process.

Interested parties are being given the chance to hear proposals first hand and express their views to FSA board members who will be present at the meetings.

The NFU has repeatedly reiterated its total opposition to the plans and the potential effect they will have on the competitiveness and sustainability of the red and white meat sectors. It is now urging farmers to attend the FSA meetings to voice their concerns

Livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh said: ’The FSA proposals are extremely concerning as it is the farmer who will undoubtedly face the brunt of the charges. Both beef and lamb producers have gone through a number of years of turmoil and neither sector can afford the additional burden.

’But more than that, there are some serious principles at stake. The present system of meat controls is out-dated, disproportionate and carried out by a high-cost, monopoly public service provider, the FSA. The NFU believes that a full review of meat controls is needed to ensure an efficient and proportionate inspection regime is put in place.

’If the FSA is unable to do more to reduce its costs and deal with current overheads then an alternative model should be seriously considered. This could involve the delivery of inspections carried out by an external private sector provider(s) with the FSA left to carry out an audit function. We have stated our belief that this should have been put forward as part of this consultation process.

’The best way forward would be to shelve the current proposals for full cost recovery while a comprehensive review of existing controls is carried out. The FSA in partnership with industry could then look at the review and highlight areas where efficiencies could be made and where alternative delivery methods could be found. Once we are satisfied that all options and potential efficiencies have been explored and implemented then we can re-examine the FSA’s current need for full cost recovery.

’It is vital that producers attend these public meetings. The FSA board must be made aware of the realities of its proposals and hear first-hand the concerns of industry.’