FSA launch consultation to improve welfare standards
The consultation aims to help the meat industry identify health and welfare problems with animals more efficiently.
A consultation on a new system of data collection and communication for meat hygiene inspectors has been launched by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) together with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
The consultation aims to help the meat industry identify health and welfare problems with animals more efficiently.
The FSA and AHDB are working closely with meat industry representatives, including producers, processors and other Government departments, to review data collected by meat hygiene inspectors at post-mortem inspection.
FSA programme leader Ramon Romero said: “The FSA and AHDB recognise the paramount importance of the health of the UK national herd. A healthy national herd is good for the consumer and also helps drive UK exports.
“The current system has been effective in protecting consumers, but we know it can be more efficient, particularly around how the inspection results are shared, so problems can be addressed more quickly."
The FSA say that the meetings they have had with industry have been productive with primary producers and veterinarians being very specific about the sort of information that they require.
Mr Romero adds: “Following meetings with the meat industry stakeholders the FSA has agreed to update the list of post-mortem rejection conditions, the health or welfare conditions that stop animals going into the food chain.
“The list is being updated to ensure each condition relates directly to public or animal health, or animal welfare. Ultimately the use of this data should increase efficiency and sustainability in the industry."
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
