MHS audit reports published July 2008

Friday 4 July 2008

Following the release of audit reports for two establishments in May 2008 (Pembrokeshire Meat Company and Welsh Hook Meat Centre), the most recent audit reports relating to these establishments are being released as a result of a further request handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

The MHS has responsibility for the enforcement of food hygiene regulations in meat premises in Great Britain that require veterinary control and are approved by the Food Standards Agency. The current risk-based auditing system came into place on 1 January 2006 following the introduction of new food hygiene legislation. Audit reports are produced following visits by the MHS to assess food safety management systems and compliance with regulations in approved slaughterhouses and cutting plants. These reports also provide guidance for food business operators to help ensure they meet their responsibilities for complying with legal requirements. The MHS audit standards range through excellent, acceptable, poor and unacceptable.

The MHS audit report does not include the plant’s action plan, which sets out the short, medium and long term actions that will be taken to address issues. The frequency of audit visits is determined using a risk-based scoring system that takes account of the nature and range of business activities and also the food business operator's compliance history.

Under section 30 of the Freedom of Information Act (investigations and proceedings), details of breaches of legislation have been removed from the audit reports. In addition, a small amount of information has been withheld under section 40 (as personal information, i.e. people’s names), under section 38 (as harmful to health and safety) and under regulation 12(5)(e) of the Environmental Information Regulations (commercial information protected by confidentiality).