FSA Backtracks on Meat Hygiene Charges
SCOTLAND, UK - The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced that that a proposed four per cent increase in meat hygiene charges in abattoirs will not go ahead this autumn.Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Having previously attended meetings on this issue and called for Scotland's vital livestock and processing sectors to be cut some slack during the current economic climate, I welcome the decision not to pursue a further increase in MHS charges at this stage. This echoes my own strong view that now it is not the right time to increase the level of MHS costs recovered from our meat industry as originally proposed.
"The MHS transformation project has already delivered a significant reduction in running costs and offers the prospect of achieving further efficiency gains in both the short and longer term.
"Coming hard on the heels of a fantastic Royal Highland Show and the launch of the next steps of our national food and drink policy, this is another positive step for the sector."