Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has advised the meat industry of increases to the current rates for all meat official controls work carried out by Meat Hygiene Inspectors and Official Veterinarians in Scottish slaughterhouses.
The new amount that plants will now have to pay is a total of £8.92 per hour on the first 1000 animals, while there is a 60% discount up to 5000 animals.
Commenting on claims made by the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers that the smallest plants are under threat by the new rates, FSS noted that these will receive an 80% discount on throughput below 1000 animals, while the increase amounts to £0.90p per hour for a vet.
The pricing rise comes as part of a routine annual review and has been subject to an external audit, while FSS estimated that the industry incurred costs of £278,000 last year in time they commissioned and did not use.
FSS is required under EU food law to charge businesses for the delivery of all meat official controls work, which is essential to ensure that meat entering the food chain is safe for human consumption, and that animals are treated in accordance with strict animal welfare standards.
Ian McWatt, director of Operations at Food Standards Scotland, said: “No increase is ever welcome, but we have been working with the industry both to explain the circumstances which have given rise to the change and to encourage them to make changes which could enhance efficiency and therefore reduce their costs through more effective use of Food Standards Scotland's time.
“It’s hoped that these changes will encourage industry to continue working with Food Standards Scotland to find ways to reduce the cost of regulation whilst ensuring the protection of consumers.”
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
