The direct appeal to the cabinet secretary was prompted by the recent announcement of the Food Standard Agency (FSA) that it intends to withdraw its financial contribution towards the delivery of meat hygiene inspection costs. This FSA announcement has caused a great deal of concern within the Scottish industry.
The ongoing review of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) has failed to strip out much of the cost and inefficiency associated with the meat inspection service in abattoirs. The Scottish industry group is adamant that, as the FSA and the MHS have failed to deliver the necessary streamlining and true cost savings, the prospect that the full cost of inspection will be transferred to abattoir owners and food business operators is totally unacceptable. Absorbing costs of the magnitude envisaged by the FSA could be ruinous for many businesses and damage the Scottish red meat processing industry, it says NFU Scotland vice-president, Nigel Miller, who chaired the recent meeting of the stakeholders, said: “We have asked that the Scottish Government carry out a feasibility study into the possibility of developing a stand-alone Scottish service to deliver meat hygiene inspections”.
Lochhead responded by saying: “With the meat supply chain already facing high operating costs, I remain concerned at the FSA’s plans and the impact they could have on our industry at this time.
“ The possibility of establishing a stand-alone inspection service in Scotland therefore deserves careful consideration.”
Market report round-up
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart held its weekly sale of prime stock in Dumfries yesterday, including the Christmas show and sale of 16 haltered prime cattle.
The championship went to a 645kg, 20-month-old British Blue cross heifer which sold for £2193 or 340p/kg. Reserve went to a 620kg, 18-month-old Limousin bullock that realised £1984 or 320p/kg.
Overall sale averages for the 81 prime cattle sold were inflated by the high-priced show animals, but heifers averaged 185.7p, whilst bullocks averaged 192.9p.
30 OTM forward saw beef cows sell to a top of 159p/kg and average 104.6p, whilst dairy cows sold to 89p/kg and averaged 78.4p.
And 1517 prime lambs sold to a top of £89.50 for Texel crosses and averaged 170.1p/kg. Light lambs (25.5-32kg) to a top of 186p and averaged 182.1, standard lambs (32.1-39kg) top of 190p and averaged 172.2p, medium lambs (39.1-45.5kg) top of 196p and averaged 172.8p, heavy lambs (5.6-532kg) top of 10p and averaged 162.6p, whilst super heavy lambs (52.1kg+) topped at 161p and averaged 151.2p.
411 cast ewes and rams met the dearest trade of the season and sold to £119 for Texels, £87 Suffolks, £79.50 Crosses, £76.50 NCC, Cheviots £67.50 and Blackfaces £67.50.
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