Performance targets high for UK meat industry

It comes as no surprise to learn that the continued reduction of microbiological hazards in meat and the strict enforcement of BSE controls are among the performance targets set for the Meat Hygiene Service for the 2002/03 financial year, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) reported recently.

The high level targets were agreed in clear response to recent events in the UK regarding BSE and foot and mouth disease, and were set by the Food Standards Agency​ Board at its meeting in Exeter on 14 March, following full public consultation.

The FSA maintains that although the targets are challenging, they are definitely achievable. They focus on public health protection, animal welfare, training, diversity, customer focus, finance and efficiency. A number of targets have been carried forward from 2001/02, to enable year on year comparison in the important areas of reducing microbiological hazards in meat, enforcing BSE controls, protecting animal welfare and operating with financial efficiency.

Some targets have been widened to achieve: full enforcement of all the hygiene requirements of the various hygiene and inspection regulations, with a wider emphasis than health marking alone; the development and implementation of a corporate training plan, rather than targets for staff training on particular subjects; and improved delivery of service and customer satisfaction across the board.

New targets this year require that the MHS take appropriate enforcement action against meat plants required to comply with domestic legislation implementing EU rules on HACCP and microbiological testing from June 2002; enhance enforcement efforts in meat plants performing poorly on HAS scores; implement a diversity action plan for MHS staff; and implement a pilot project on increased direct employment of veterinarians, to increase efficiency.

Performance against many of the targets will be through the results of audit visits conducted by the FSA's Veterinary Meat Hygiene Advisors (VMHAs). Other targets will be assessed on the basis of reports required as part of the detailed assessment methodology.

The Board agreed on zero tolerance of critical failures - those which give rise to immediate, serious risk to public health, require immediate corrective action by the MHS, or permit an animal to sustain avoidable excitement, pain or suffering. Audit results are published by the FSA, and performance against targets is reported in the MHS Annual Report and Accounts.