Food Standards Scotland, the Food Standards Agency and leaders of the UK’s meat industry held a meeting to keep track of its responses to the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic.Following the meeting, the food standards organisations co-signed a letter with a number of trade bodies, which read: “The coronavirus pandemic has caused unprecedented impacts on the everyday lives of people across the UK. The meat industry is bearing its share of the significant consequences. “As the country navigates the Covid-19 challenges, and the rapidly changing situation, we recognise the great disruption and uncertainty this emergency has created for many in the meat sector. “In particular, there are thousands of key food workers who selflessly continue to work every day on the front line including food business and Food Standards Scotland staff. They have our deep and sincere thanks for their commitment to maintaining the nation’s food supply. Together, we are taking steps to ensure they are kept as safe as possible whilst they undertake these vital roles.
“As regulators and industry bodies, we share many common aims: being committed to producing safe food, protecting consumers, and ensuring high animal welfare standards."
“As regulators and industry bodies, we share many common aims: being committed to producing safe food, protecting consumers, and ensuring high animal welfare standards.“Without the support and co-operation of individual meat businesses, large and small, up and down the country, and of key industry players over the last few weeks, it would not have been possible for us to achieve those aims. We are determined to continue with this spirit of co-operation. It will be vital in ensuring that we overcome the further challenges we will doubtless face over the coming weeks and months.“We remain committed to working together in a flexible, pragmatic and responsive way, to maintain the supply of safe food across all four nations during this time of crisis.”The full list of trade bodies which agreed the joint statement included the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS), British Meat Processors Association (BMPA), British Poultry Council (BPC), Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), the International Meat Traders Association (IMTA), National Craft Butchers, National Farmers Union, Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association (NIMEA,) Provision Trade Federation and the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW).
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