AIMS slammed the FSA’s meat inspection charging regime in the face of rising rates at the end of last year. It claimed the FSA’s current stance and the potential removal of the meat discount regime could devastate more than half of the UK’s meat industry, jeopardising a vital sector of the national economy.
Peter Hewson, veterinary director at AIMS, said there were two reasons why the group had taken to decision to challenge the FSA on the new charges.
“Firstly, The FSA’s insistence on focusing any discussion on the meat charges ‘subsidy’ rather than looking for the causes of the excessively high charges,” said Hewson.
Increase in charges
“And, secondly, the scale of the increase in charges to be introduced from April 2025 which will see them rise by 11% for the industry as a whole and charges for medium sized abattoirs increase by 25%.”
AIMS’ legal challenge will focus on three key issues surrounding the rise in charges for OVs and MHIs.
First, AIMS argued that the FSA had unlawfully included costs in its calculation of new hourly rates of £65.90 for an OV and £43.20 for an MHI.
Second, it claimed it was impossible to ascertain what elements of the charges were ‘costs connected with’ official controls – rather than chargeable costs of exercising official controls themselves – which is ‘non-compliant’ with the requirement for a high level of transparency.
Beyond the recovery of expenses
Finaly, the charges for enforcement activity went beyond the recovery of expenses that the regulations provide for.
“Our letter asks that the FSA to strip out all costs from its hourly rates that cannot be lawfully charged, and we urge them to relook at their calculations,” Hewson added.
Responding to AIMS, Dr James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the FSA said: “We are aware of this action and we are considering the response. In the meantime more information on charging for our Official Controls can be found on food.gov.uk.”
Meanwhile, potential changes in regulations for abattoirs risk furthering the decline of the UK’s small abattoirs sector, according to Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
