T. 07768 654955 E. scott.walker@scconsultancy.uk
The FSA has launched a consultation to review audit arrangements in approved meat establishments, including slaughterhouses, cutting plants and game handling establishments. The consultation deadline is before Friday 16 May 2014. A link to the consultation details follows this report.
SAMW view:
“The proposed changes are welcomed by the industry having largely resulted from a strong case for reform made by SAMW over the past four years. It is important, of course, that the changes now proposed are underpinned by a team of specialist, competent and suitably qualified auditors who will not only assess relevant plants but also the performance of the on-site veterinarians employed by the FSA.
“Historically, audit issues have been a source of great disagreement, even animosity, between industry and FSA, despite abattoirs being well used to being audited by a wide range of different authorities, such as BRC, on behalf of retailers, quality assurance schemes, organic and welfare designations, as well as to meet EU requirements. While our members therefore had extensive hands-on knowledge and understanding of audit demands, progress towards the proposed position we now have only became possible following a positive move by FSA last year to work in partnership with industry. This finally began to yield significant results.
“The current consultation is therefore based on joint agreements between FSA and industry, being designed to ensure that future audit requirements are discharged in a relevant, risk-based and proportionate manner. SAMW is hopeful therefore that the proposed changes will answer most of our concerns, being based on actual outcomes and evidence, rather than theoretical or potential hazards.
“Another key issue, which we believe is now being addressed, is the failure of the existing process to recognise improvements in plant performance. in contrast, the new solution is designed to allow auditors’ focus to be applied where it is most needed, rather than being allocated largely according to plant size, the species processed and a rigid rota. Hopefully, the new structure will deliver a more relevant meaningful audit system than currently exists to the benefit of FSA, industry and, most important of all, consumers.”
The stark reality of Scotland’s 60,000-head decline in suckler numbers since 2004 is one of the key reasons for the pressures currently surrounding the country’s meat processing and marketing sectors says Ian Anderson, SAMW executive manager.
“The fall in suckler numbers to around 450,000 has led to a massive increase in procurement costs for abattoirs and butchers,” he told the annual meeting of the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Association in Perth. “As a result, cattle prices here have doubled, making Scotch accredited beasts the most expensive in the EU at £4.20 a kilo. That’s generally 80 – 100 pence above anything coming out of Ireland, north or south and is not where any of us want to be.
“Without a decent CAP outcome this is simply not sustainable, despite recent data from QMS showing a 7% growth in retail beef prices in the last 12 months ago. Such a gain, of course, is swamped by the 15% increase in Scottish producer prices which has taken place over the same period.”
Pointing out that SAMW was firmly in the vanguard of efforts to persuade Government that the current CAP reform must incentivise increased livestock production, and do so urgently, Mr Anderson praised the all-industry stance being taken on this issue.
“One of the most satisfying aspects of recent months has been the commitment from all livestock sector interest groups who are continuing to work together to achieve the best outcome for the supply chain,” he said. “While we are still waiting to see how the Scotland’s Government implements CAP reform in Scotland, some points of value are already clear.
“The demise of payment to slipper farmers is an established priority, and rightly so.
“We also know that coupled support for beef calf production will be greatly increased, I would think at least double the current rate, and tweaked to give greater encouragement to larger producers.
“NSA’s decision not to seek coupled support on sheep also means that the maximum available funding can go solely into beef.”
There must, however, be no letting up in the drive to secure the best CAP outcome for the Scottish meat chain with Scotland’s Government, QMS and the industry all having vital roles to play in the coming months.
“The Cabinet Secretary’s announcement of an initiative to engineer growth in the beef sector is certainly a welcome step,” said Mr Anderson. “It will look at things such as quantity, quality, marketing, knowledge transfer, IT, stimulating confidence among producers, seeking opportunities to increase support under Pillar 2 of the CAP and so on. These are all vital points.
“For all the pressures currently surrounding our industry, beef remains a jewel in Scotland’s crown, a global status of which we can be justly proud. It’s a product worth fighting for; produced, processed and marketed by dedicated, hard-working people at every stage in the chain. Losing 60,000 head in nine years is a big hit to take and we clearly can’t take much more.
“Thankfully, there are some signs that the seriousness of Scotland’s beef sector plight is finally being understood by those in power. As a result, industry and government is working together, fighting back and laying the foundation for what I’m sure we all hope with be a strong and sustainable future.”
The long-overdue modernisation of European meat inspection remains on track following the approval of visual assessments and Food Chain Information as the core processes for ensuring that meat is produced in the correct way and is safe to eat.
| “We’ve been working for the last three years to bring sense and reality into Europe’s 100-year-old meat inspection structure and are delighted that last-ditch attempts to block changes to EU pig inspection were defeated in the European Parliament earlier this month,” said Alan McNaughton, president of the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW). “If MEPs had voted in favour of the status quo for pig inspections they would have killed inspection reforms across the whole meat industry. That would have been a disaster in relation to the continued growth and development of our own forward-looking and high quality Scottish meat industry.
“Thankfully, a united effort by industry bodies, the Food Standards Agency and several UK MEPs, blocked the wrecking move, to the enormous benefit of meat production, processing and consumption in the years ahead.” The way is now clear for pork to be declared fit for human consumption following a detailed visual assessment of the carcase concerned, aligned to the provision of all necessary Food Chain Information (FCI). Exposing carcases to systematic incision or palpation, which has been around for more than a century, will no longer be the routine inspection answer, almost regardless of what questions were asked. These processes will still be available for use when appropriate, of course, but will not be trotted out purely for historic reasons. |
“It is entirely correct that processes designed to counter the common disease and infection risks of the early 1900s should be removed from modern meat inspection,” said Mr McNaughton. “The new approach we now have for pigs, and can begin looking forward to having for cattle and sheep, is efficient, effective and totally science-based. It addresses the disease and infection risks we face today, and it does it very well indeed.”
The SAMW president also paid tribute to the involvement in the pig vote process of Scottish MEPs George Lyon and Alyn Smith, FSA’s Javier Dominguez and the team at UECBV.
“The combined efforts of George, Alyn and Javier were extremely effective in the run up to this crucial vote,” said Mr McNaughton. “The time and effort taken in relation to this issue, by such a broadly-based spread of people and organisations, highlights the importance of the decision which has now been reached. In fact, while meat inspection and legislation often attracts many differing views and opinions, this was one issue on which all sides came together to the long-term benefit of producers, processors and consumers.”
The Sandpiper Trust, Poppyscotland and Children 1st have shared gifts totalling £7000 from the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW).
Funds raised during a charity auction at the Association’s 2013 conference and dinner were presented to representatives of the three organisations by SAMW president, Alan McNaughton.
“The generosity of association members and guests has allowed us to support many excellent charities over the years and we’re delighted this year to be able to express our appreciation of the valuable work being done by the Sandpiper Trust, Poppyscotland and Children 1st,” said Mr McNaughton.
(l-r) Kirsty Doran, Ian Anderson, Claire Maitland, Alan McNaughton and Kirstie R-Mitchell.
The Sandpiper Trust (£3000)
Claire Maitland, who co-founded of the Trust following the tragic death of her nephew Sandy, 13 years ago, said the gift would fund the purchase of three Sandpiper Bags, containing specialist emergency medical equipment which is provided to doctors, nurses and paramedics throughout rural Scotland.
“We thought when we started that if we could help save one life it would be worthwhile,” she said. “With more than 850 bags now in existence throughout Scotland, however, we regularly receive feedback from the medical profession about people whose lives might otherwise have been lost had they not received treatment by doctors, nurses or paramedics in possession of this life-saving medical equipment.”
Poppyscotland (£2000)
Whether someone has suffered a catastrophic battlefield injury, is haunted by horrific events they witnessed on the frontline, or is simply struggling to adjust to life outside the Armed Forces, Poppyscotland provides practical help.
Kirstie R-Mitchell, Community Fundraiser with Poppyscotland said “We are extremely grateful for this generous donation from SAMW. Poppyscotland works year round to ensure that veterans and their families receive the care and support that they urgently need. We rely on the generosity and support of organisations such as SAMW and this donation will make a significant contribution to our work.”
CHILDREN 1ST (£2000)
The provision of excellent services which promote the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people, helping them to thrive within their families, is at the heart of the CHILDREN 1ST.
“A general gift, such as the one provided by SAMW, allows us the freedom and flexibility to apply our funds where they are most needed,” said Kirsty Doran, the charity’s corporate fundraiser. “We’re very grateful for this valuable support.”
SAMW has given a qualified welcome for the completion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) of a ‘major piece of work’ dealing with the modernisation of meat inspection across the EU.
Responding to media questions on the issue, Ian Anderson, SAMW Executive Manager, said: “The current system of meat inspection has its origins in the late 19th century when public health risks were different from those of today. SAMW has been making the case for the modernisation of meat inspection in Europe for the past four years so we are pleased to see the EFSA opinion supporting this. The new meat inspection of pigs was agreed recently and we look forward to being involved in the development of new systems for cattle and sheep by the EU Commission in the months ahead.”
To see EFSA’s moderisation announcement click here
The UK Government’s intransigence on the future role of coupled support for livestock producers is placing every link in the meat chain at risk warns the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW).
Association president Alan McNaughton, speaking at the Royal Highland Show, delivered a sharply worded response to UK Minister of State David Heath’s reported comment that belief in coupled payments was ‘for the birds’.
“Not only does such a view fly in the face of the commercial reality of what every meat plant owner in the land has experienced in the past eight years, it also insults the intelligence of every industry specialist who has spoken out against the UK Government’s deeply unhelpful approach to the livestock sector aspects of CAP Reform,” said Mr McNaughton.
“If the UK’s opposition to coupled support prevails in the final CAP settlement, damage will be done right across the meat chain. UK producers will be left at a severe disadvantage to their major competitors, especially France; processors will be left to choose between domestic and export business, as there won’t be sufficient stock available to satisfy both sectors; and retailers will be left with a pricing choice which can only go one way, upwards.
“Ministers Paterson and Heath are negotiating the UK meat industry’s exit from global business, shutting the doors on export growth and development and turning out the lights on businesses which have won admirers across the world but have insufficient supplies to satisfy sales demands.
“This may not fit with DEFRA’s view of coupled support and market economics, but the commercial reality of the past eight years is that those countries which have used coupled support to encourage production have seen stock numbers remain secure, at worst, and increase in some cases. At the same time, UK production continues to decline with even prices reaching £4 a kg failing to produce any evidence of a shift in production attitudes.
“Neither are we a lone voice on this issue, fighting our corner purely for our own commercial reasons. No, this is a united industry stance by a farm-to-plate chain which actually understands how business works. I don’t think we’re the ones whose views are ‘for the birds’.”
T: 07768 654955 E: scott.walker@scconsultancy.uk
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