Farming: Joint bid for a 'Scottish' meat solution

A "SCOTTISH solution" to the long-running battle on meat inspection charges in abattoirs was proposed yesterday in a joint statement from NFU Scotland and the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers.

The proposal, sent to the four mainline political parties contesting the Scottish elections, carries the stark warning that the current UK-based service disadvantages Scotland and presents a "serious threat to the future viability of the Scottish meat and livestock sector".

Alan Craig, president of SAMW, said the cost of inspection per livestock unit in Scotland is believed to be less than half the current UK cost as charged by the Food Standards Agency.

"Under the present structure, therefore, Scotland is being significantly disadvantaged by having to pay a UK average figure. We believe a Scottish solution, still managed locally by FSA, would be more efficient and cost-effective and would provide a valuable opportunity to secure and enhance public confidence in quality Scotch meat."

Craig also pointed out that the meat processing industry was paying "millions of pounds" for a monopoly service where they had no formal input in the strategy or delivery of that service.

"Any new system, therefore, should give industry a contribution in the direction of the inspection service. We believe this would encourage a healthy working partnership, better placed to deliver positive outcomes for the consumer and the industry."

Speaking on behalf of the union, president, Nigel Miller said: "In recent years, Scottish stakeholders have put considerable time and effort into proposals that would have rationalised the delivery of the meat inspection service at a UK level.

"That work has been frustrating and arduous and has largely delivered little of the real change needed to what is a burdensome and outdated system."

He added that the decision announced last week on devolving the animal health budget to Scotland was a trigger for the proposal for this country to take control of its own meat inspection arrangements.

"By utilising the FSA in Scotland, we can develop a tailor-made service that better recognises the specialised processing sector we have in Scotland and delivers efficiency through best practice that will benefit the whole meat chain and build on the Scottish brand."

Both stressed the proposals did not threaten the high standards in the meat industry with a firm commitment to the fundamental need for meat inspection to continue to ensure the delivery of safe food to consumers.