United Kingdom-Additional costs for abattoirs.

UNITED KINGDOM-MEAT INSPECTION COSTS.

PROPOSALS for a rise in meat inspection charges at abattoirs have been condemned by the National Farmers’ Union, which has again reiterated its opposition to any planned increase.

The Food Standards Agency is consulting the industry on proposed changes to charges for the official meat controls due to come into force on June 29.

Its preferred option is a 9 per cent rise – although the lowest cost option would still see an increase of 4 per cent.

Alistair Mackintosh, chairman of the NFU livestock board, believes there should even be a reduction in charging levels throughout the meat supply chain, with all unnecessary costs driven out. 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 agrees 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 of the country, experience unnecessary cost burdens.

"We also believe there should be a joint Government and industry effort to change EU regulation to remove, where appropriate, the level of official 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 taxpayer contribution to these controls, removing the need to force producers into paying for any additional charges."