.In our previous blog, we stated that, in view of the importance of the issue (abattoir approval/FSA “Tec Files”/Dennis Cryer), the next blog would be devoted entirely on this subject. As it ties in with other important contemporary issues, it is featured instead under “Review of Establishment Approval” in Viewpoint 54 on our web-site www.toby baker.com.
The Macdonald Task Force recommendations on meat inspection charges, on which blog gave an opinion, 27 May 2011, seems to becoming a central point of debate as the rumpus of full cost recovery and the rapidly declining relationship with the Food Standards Agency (FSA),gathers momentum.
Things kicked off with a letter in The Times. Eight signatories, including Country Land & Business Association, NFU, Campaign to Protect Rural England, National Federation of Meat and Food Traders, Woman’s Institute, Rare Breeds Survival Trust, Soil Association and The National Trust certainly reflected the growing and widespread concern of FSA conduct and its quest for full cost recovery (FCR). An eloquent missive puts the future damage to the countryside in realistic perspective, but one line says it all. “Charging the full cost of inspections should be revisited once they are risk-based and affordable. They are neither and would lead to the closure of large and small abattoirs.”
Yup, that’s it in a nutshell, and I firmly believe that closures are not just an inevitable consequence, they are actually part of Government planning, a few monster meat plants would be so much easier for them to oversee, you see.
Macdonald’s Report recommended that private control bodies, accredited by the FSA, should provide meat inspection services. Inevitably, FSA aren’t having any of that, the threat to their newly acquired fiefdom would be huge.
Also inevitably, as revealed in last week’s Meat Trades Journal (MTJ), “anger” to the FSA response has ensued. Trade spokesmen Stephen Rossides (BMPA) and Norman Bagley (AIMS), made sound comments in reply, and no doubt they will have FSA officials shivering in their shoes at what ever forum, meeting or get together that the FSA dreams up as an outcome to this “anger”.
MTJ Editor Ed Beddington, with noble aplomb and in the interests of impartiality, obviously more in hope than expectation, states in his column that “considering the fact that this issue (FCR) was already covered off back in the mists of time by the Tierney Report, I wonder how many more reports it’s going to take before the FSA finally begins to consider that its diametric opposition to something industry is crying out for makes no sense..............”. Don’t hold your breath, Ed!!
In a letter in the same issue, former top FSA vet Peter Hewson not only promotes the case for the Macdonald findings, he exposes his old bosses and their tactics for what they are. He said “ the FSA’s arguments (about outsourced meat inspection services) do not stand up to scrutiny, and I hope the FSA board will not allow another opportunity to pass that would benefit both the industry and consumer.......” Note “and consumer”, and his revealing letter goes on to explain how this might be the case. For an eminent but cagey old fox like Peter Hewson, this letter actually wipes the floor with the FSA, and, I believe, adds considerable ammunition to our cause if we know how to use it.
But this, in truth, is where we’re at. This Government agency (FSA) is NEVER going to listen to any letter, report, argued reason, fact, lobbying or any expertise that may threaten their bureaucratic existence. They believe themselves to be untouchable as representatives of the interests of the people, and are scornful of any criticism from, it seems, whatever quarter.
Some uncomfortable decisions are going to have to be made to knock the arrogant FSA off its perch and we are rapidly approaching the ultimate “us or them” situation in this tortuous debate. The “wearing-down” of industry has nearly reached its logical conclusion, and that “twitching of bottoms” moment for abattoir operators is almost with us. Do we confront, with whatever tactics we decide to use, or do we simply roll over and capitulate?”
The buck, whether we like it or not, stops with us.

To succeed you have to try.
Toby Baker