FSA responds to claims about ‘overnight’ fee increase

Dr Jason Aldiss, executive director of AIMS, has recently said that some operators have seen their meat inspection charges rise by as much as 25% overnight. 

FSA has confirmed that no plants will see increases of 25% or higher. Before discount, 94% of plants will see rises below 20%.  

The average pre-discount increase for small plants is 16%, for medium plants, it is 14%; and for large plants, it is 11%. 

Because the discount pot has stayed level, the average increase to charges after discount for red meat slaughterhouses is 18%.   

62% of red meat slaughterhouses will experience a post-discount increase at or below this level, with 23% of small red meat slaughterhouses experiencing a post-discount increase of below 10%, FSA explained. 

READ MORE: Meat industry faces overnight fee increase and it is not April Fool’s joke

Levels of increase

Dr James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the FSA, responded to the claims from AIMS by saying: “All abattoirs will continue to receive a sizeable discount on the costs of meat inspections, which are required by law, to protect consumers and support exports.  

“Industry as a whole receives £14.9 million of support on charges with a particular focus on the smallest abattoirs, who receive a discount of up to 90%.” 

Mr Cooper explained that the level of increase is dependent on a number of factors, including the size of the slaughterhouse, throughput of animals, FSA resource required and the designated discount band in which the slaughterhouse is placed.   

“The changes in discount bands may affect the support to medium or larger size abattoirs, who will, nonetheless, continue to receive substantial support on the costs of these vital inspections this year. 

“As there is an ongoing threat of legal action in this area, we are unable to comment further at this time. In the meantime, more information on charging for our official controls can be found on food.gov.uk.” 

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