Meat suppliers condemn rise in FSA inspection fees

Meat trade body the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers has condemned an imminent hike in official controls charges by the Food Standards Agency, calling for its immediate suspension and a full independent review.

The charges are set to increase by 24% from 1 April 2026, adding £50,000-£100,000 annually to some meat businesses’ costs.

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (Aims) says the increase is being imposed with insufficient notice and without meaningful engagement with industry.

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The organisation also claims the UK now operates the most expensive meat inspection regime in the world.

Dr Jason Aldiss, executive director of Aims, said: “This is totally unjustified, economically damaging, and indefensible.

“Traditional meat inspection, as currently delivered, provides no meaningful consumer protection, yet vast sums are being extracted from industry to sustain it.”

He added: “Industry is paying record fees for a system that adds cost, bureaucracy, and delay – while delivering no measurable improvement in food-safety outcomes.”

Aims also says businesses are being required to fund poorly trained inspection staff, with inadequate supervision, layers of management, and trainee overseas veterinarians charged at rates comparable to the prime minister’s salary.

“Traditional meat inspection offers no meaningful consumer benefit,” Dr Aldiss said.

“Our members are paying huge sums to fund poorly trained staff and trainee vets.

“Contract staff are charged out at extraordinary rates, but paid less than one-quarter of the fees charged. This is profiteering off the back of hard-pressed businesses, with no added value. It is indefensible and unsustainable.”

The organisation said the increase could accelerate business closures, weaken domestic production capacity and undermine food security.

Response 

In response, Dr James Cooper, deputy director of  policy at the Food Standards Agency (FSA), said:  “We carry out essential checks that help keep British meat safe.  

“This year the meat industry received £14.9m in discount support on charges; next year (2026-27) this will be  £11.8m, still a significant taxpayer contribution. 

“Larger businesses will still receive a big share of the discount next year, but the effect of moving towards a more targeted approach is that these businesses will see a decrease in their taxpayer funded subsidy while small abattoirs will continue to receive support of up to 90%. 

“Our priority remains protecting public health, and upholding high standards of animal welfare, helping to ensure people have confidence in the food they eat.”  

Dr Cooper confirmed that the FSA has engaged with meat industry bodies, on charge rates and discounts for these inspections, and will meet with them again later this week.