Meat standard lets smaller processors compete

A revised abattoir and processor standard was launched by the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) and Assured British Meat (ABM) on May 4 to help smaller firms compete with larger rivals.

The amended three-part standard can be tailored to suit businesses of varying sizes and takes into account that some firms may already be British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Food Standard accredited. The latter only need a specific abattoir and/or cutting and packing plant module, depending on their business operations. Those that aren’t BRC certified also require a core module based around hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) regulations.

The standard is not compulsory, said Norman Bagley, policy director of AIMS. “We do not want to intimidate processors who do not wish to be accredited, but it is now a commercial decision as opposed to being ideologically driven.”

Supermarkets and suppliers often demand accreditation but, at a minimum cost of £15,000, the old standard was too expensive for smaller abattoirs and cutting and packing plants to afford, even if they did meet all the requirements, he added.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has agreed to grant the scheme £116,000 over the next three years, funding up to 50% of each plant’s accreditation costs, which will be in the region of £1,200- £1,500. The funding will be mirrored in Wales through Meat Promotion Wales.

Raising costs to meet recent European legislation has put the future of many small abattoirs and cutting plants in jeopardy, as they cannot afford the building modifications that larger businesses have paid out for, claimed Bagley. “The small and medium sectors have been frozen out by the larger retailers.”

He said that the revised format, which AIMS began to research last May, was less costly and bureaucratic and “more user-friendly, without dumbing down the standard”

Sarah Long, ABM development manager, said the new standard was more focused on the critical issues of traceability, animal welfare and food safety and met the requirements of the Red Tractor assurance scheme. Long added that the revised standard had been met with positive feedback across the sector and inspections are expected to start on July 1.