FSA must show intent in saving small abattoirs, says NCB
National Craft Butchers has made one final plea to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to help save small abattoirs across the UK.
The NCB is expecting proposals this week from the FSA Operations on the future of meat inspection and is urging the organisation to outline a series of measures which would protect small abattoirs.
John Mettrick, acting president of the National Craft Butchers, said: “The NCB team have been engaging positively with FSA and other Government departments for some time now. They are listening and are sympathetic to our cause. However, now is the time for the FSA to come forward with a firm declaration of intent.”
“Craft Butchers are urging the FSA to bite the bullet and use this once in a lifetime opportunity to transform the prospects of the local abattoir sector.”
William Lloyd Williams, policy director at NCB, added: “We have all seen over the last 12 months how much the British public value their local butcher and farm shop. Without a thriving network of small and medium abattoirs the future of high quality, known provenance and low-carbon meat could be lost forever.”
NCB policy and technical manager, Richard Stevenson, said: “The UK authorities could do so much to help smaller abattoirs by introducing flexible, risk-based, less bureaucratic and IT savvy practices. It is particularly ironic that the EU has already moved in this direction but due to the timing of Brexit the UK has not been able to take advantage. It is imperative that Minister’s put meat inspection reform at the top of the agenda for post-Brexit legislation.”
John Mettrick concluded: “Craft Butchers are urging the FSA to bite the bullet and use this once in a lifetime opportunity to transform the prospects of the local abattoir sector.”
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