Abattoir costs bring changes to MHS rules
Abattoir costs bring changes to MHS rules
REGULATIONS governing new Meat Hygiene Service charges have been revised after the food industry claimed they would increase rather than decrease costs incurred by small abattoirs.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has re-drafted regulations due to come into force on April 2 after its original proposals, which were designed to alleviate the cost burden to small abattoirs, drew an angry response from the industry.
The regulations, which have now been laid before Parliament, allow abattoirs to be charged for meat inspection on a headage basis.
The original proposals included clauses giving meat inspectors powers to levy extra charges in some circumstances, for example, if extra travelling time was needed.
But most of these have been removed after intense industry opposition. The FSA has also responded to calls for an independent appeals service to be set up to resolve disputes between the MHS and slaughterhouses. This is included in the draft statutory instrument which has now been laid before Parliament.
Country Land and Business Association campaigner Caroline Cranbrook said the changes were a "huge relief". *