Consequences warning from FSA

- Published: 14 July, 2009

Meat hygiene reform may be compromised after the move to increase Meat Hygiene Service charges by 4% was rejected, the head of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned today.

Tim Smith, FSA chief executive, said the failure of the agency to secure the 4% rise, which was rejected by the devolved authorities, "would have an impact on our ability to do our work".

Speaking at today's FSA board meeting in London, he said: "Those who saw the 4% rise as a simple win-or-lose decision need to think carefully about the consequences. There will have to be consequences for the agency's work."

He said the lack of extra revenue would affect the FSA's ability to pursue meat hygiene control reform in the EU.