In the letter, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) claimed the FSA had “acted outside its remit to the detriment of British meat producers and processors on several occasions”.
The letter followed a complaint last week about an FSA tweet that appeared to support the Meat-free week campaign.
“The FSA’s role in the meat industry is as regulator,” said AIMS.
“It has no remit to comment on the effect of meat production on the environment, the health aspects of eating meat or anything other than how hygienically and lawfully meat is processed.
“The FSA has no responsibility to support British food producers, but it must not act to the detriment of the sectors it regulates. Our concern is that comments, often on social media, from the FSA do just that.”
Impartiality of the organisation
AIMS claimed that comments made by the FSA called into question the impartiality of the organisation as a regulator.
But the FSA rejected suggestions it was biased against the meat industry.
“The FSA works closely and productively with meat businesses every day across the country. We also regularly run national campaigns promoting safe ways to enjoy meat,” said the FSA.
“The FSA’s sole remit is to put consumers first. Of course this means making sure everyone understands their responsibilities for food being safe and what it says it is.”
It also said its purpose was to provide information and advice to consumers in relation to food safety as well as other food-related issues.
‘Help people make informed choices’
“Our current strategic plan reinforces this commitment to help people make informed choices about what they eat.
“It also acknowledges the growing challenges around access to a healthy diet, now and in the future, which is in line with wider government advice in this area.”
The letter was signed by: National Federation of Meat and Food Traders president Jim Sperring, British Meat Processors Association President Peter Mitchell, National Sheep Association chairman Phil Stocker and British Poultry Council chairman John Reed.
AIMS head of policy Norman Bagley used Twitter last week to highlight apparent contradictions in the FSA’s view of meat-free week (see tweet below).
“They’ve [The FSA] taken the tweet down and say that it isn’t their proper position. So we [AIMS] asked, what is your proper position on these matters?” said Bagley.
