Meat Hygiene Service Framework Document

Thursday 17 April 2008

This framework document sets out the accountability and governance arrangements between the FSA and the MHS and replaces the one published when the MHS was first established as an executive agency.

It forms a solid foundation for future developments in the relationship between the MHS and the government.

The MHS has played a central role in the early years of the FSA in taking forward work to protect public health. In providing a meat inspection service to all licensed meat plants, the MHS helps to ensure that the industry carries out its responsibilities to maintain the high standards required by the law for the hygienic production of meat and for the welfare of animals at slaughter. The work undertaken every day by the front line enforcement staff is fundamental to the protection of consumers.

The operation of the MHS, the targets which are set, success in delivery of those targets and effective governance are all of vital importance to the FSA Board, to consumers and to the meat industry.

The document has been prepared by the FSA in consultation with the MHS Chief Executive and incorporates comments and suggestions from relevant parties, including Defra, the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, the National Assembly for Wales Agriculture Department and Her Majesty's Treasury. The MHS Board agreed the document at its meeting on 15 March 2005.

The framework document does not contain any new financial, legal, policy or other implications. It serves to formalise matters that are current practice and which have been agreed by the FSA Board or the MHS Board.

As well as being available at the link below, a copy of the document has been placed in the libraries of the House, the Scottish Parliamentary Information Centre and the Library of the National Assembly of Wales. A hard copy is available upon request from the MHS at the headquarters address at section 3 of the document or from:

Sandie Yeats
Charging Policy and Approvals Administration Branch
Food Standards Agency
Room 315B, Aviation House
125 Kingsway
London WC2B 6NH
tel: 020 7276 8326
fax: 020 7276 8311
email: sandie.yeats@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk