Proposal to phase in charges for controls on the removal of Specified Risk Material (SRM) and for revised charging arrangements for meat hygiene controls

The issues on which we would welcome your comments, include:

SRM charges

• the general principle of charging for SRM controls
• how a charging system might operate
• the impact of the charge

Meat hygiene charges

• the position that will apply on 1 January 2007 when the finance provisions of the EU Regulation on Official Feed and Food Controls (OFFC) come into force
• whether to retain current charging arrangements or whether to develop a new charging system
• changes to throughput rates required under the OFFC Regulation by 1 January 2008
• a proposal to phase in increased charges to cover more of the costs of meat hygiene controls
• possible opportunities to simplify the current charging system

In general terms, the above issues can be divided into two broad themes. The first is a proposal to move closer to full cost recovery by charging a higher proportion of the costs of the meat hygiene and SRM controls that are carried out by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) in Great Britain and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Northern Ireland.

This reflects the view of the FSA that, as a general principle, it is inappropriate for the FSA to subsidise business and that FSA expenditure should be aligned more closely with strategic priorities. In moving closer to full cost recovery we recognise that control costs must be kept as low as possible, and reduced where possible, to limit the chargeable costs. As part of this the FSA plans to review the level of SRM controls to take a more risk-based approach to enforcement.

The second broad theme is whether the current charging system for meat hygiene controls should be maintained and, if so, whether and how the system might be adjusted to comply with EU requirements and whether other changes might be made to simplify the system.

This is the first stage of developing policy on these issues with stakeholders and will be followed by full public consultation later in the year. It is anticipated that a public consultation on the finance provisions of the OFFC above will be launched in June with a further consultation on the remaining issues to follow in late summer/early autumn.

Attached below are the appendices to the written conultation that provide details of the issues about which we are seeking comments.

This consultation has been prepared in accordance with the Better Regulation Executive's Code of Practice on Consultation, which states that a consultation must follow better regulation best practice, including carrying out an Impact Assessment (Regulatory Impact Assessment in Scotland). The assessment is included in the consultation documents.

We are interested in what you thought of this consultation and would therefore welcome your general feedback on both the consultation package and overall consultation process. If you would like to assist us to improve the quality of future consultations, please feel free to share your thoughts with us by using the consultation feedback questionnaire.

Consultation feedback questionnaire (Word)

Consultation feedback questionnaire (pdf)

In accordance with the FSA principle of openness our Information Centre at Aviation House will hold a copy of the completed consultation. Responses will be open to public access upon request. The FSA will also publish a summary of responses, which may include personal data, such as your full name and contact address details. If you do not want this information to be released, please complete and return the Publication of Personal Data Form. Return of this form does not mean that we will treat your response to the consultation as confidential, just your personal data.

Data protection form (Word)

Data protection form (pdf)

Within three months of a consultation ending we aim to publish a summary of responses received and provide a link to it from this page.

If, after three months, the summary is still not showing, please contact the person who was responsible for the original consultation. Alternatively, you can contact Judith Taylor, the FSA Consultation Co-ordinator, on 020 7276 8633.
Email: judith.taylor@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk