Speaking to the British Meat Processors Association conference last month, the FSA’s chair Tim Bennett accepted change would be necessary as its budget came under greater scrutiny.
“The direction of the new government [means] there will be no expansion of the state and the FSA will face pressures to reduce its costs and allow for reducing the burden on industry – especially smaller businesses.”
Regulation change
Bennett said there was support from most people within the food industry and from government for the continuation of an independent FSA. However, he acknowledged its regulatory approach would need to change.
“We will look at the opportunities to change if it will benefit consumers. But our budget is not going to go up; so you have to ensure it protects consumers within the constraints that are presented by the Treasury.”
Bennett added: “We need to do something about creating a broad and open debate; about complementary and alternative delivery models.” This would be an FSA priority for the coming year, he added. Bennett said the 24% of the FSA’s budget devoted to regulating the food industry was “unsustainable for the future”.
Changes, targets and incentives
Bennett said changes underway at the FSA would lead to more targeting of transgressors, while providing incentives for food business operators to comply with legislation. “To some extent it’s going to be about influencing, not just requiring,” he remarked.
He noted that meat inspection costs had fallen from £91M in 2006/7 to £55M in 2013/14.
“Over the past couple of years we have been able to keep our costs flat,” he added.
Meanwhile, for the latest advice on food safety, don't miss the Food Manufacture Group's one-day Food safety conference at the Lowry, Manchester on Tuesday September 29.