Change abattoir fee plan, say farmers
14 February 2001
‘Change abattoir fee plan’, say farmers
By Alistair Driver
FARMING and rural organisations have urged the government not to give meat inspectors power to levy extra charges on abattoirs at their own discretion.
Twenty-one organisations have told the Food Standards Agency that proposals aimed at saving small and medium-sized abattoirs do not go far enough.
The Food Standards Agency is drafting the proposals so the government can charge abattoirs inspection fees on each animal that is slaughtered from 1 April.
The change from an hourly charging system is being introduced to make meat inspection cheaper for smaller units.
But groups such as the National Farmers Union, the Soil Association and the Country Land & Business Association (CLA) believe charges could rise instead.
In a joint letter to FSA chairman Sir John Krebs, they write: “The FSAs proposals could have the opposite effect to what the government intended.
“Rather than reducing the burden of charges borne by small abattoirs, the proposals may give license for inspection charges to be increased.”
In particular, the groups are concerned that inspectors could charge extra for their visits, especially if travelling expenses are high.
They also fear that charges could be levied if inspectors wait at abattoirs because of delays in slaughtering or a lack of uniformity of the animals.
Tom Hind, NFU meat hygiene adviser, said the union wanted the agency to set up a system of independent arbitration to govern any disputes that arise.
“We understand the need for inspectors to be protected from abattoir managers who take advantage of the new rules,” he said.
“But we want an arbitration system where disputes can be resolved quickly.”
The union is also concerned that abattoirs may have to change their current practices to avoid extra charges, said Mr Hind.