FSA Moves On Dairy Inspections

UK - More than five years of relentless lobbying by the NFU looks likely to culminate in a big win for farmers, following news that the Food Standards Agency will consult on proposals to reduce hygiene inspections to one in 10 years on assured dairy farms.
calendar icon 25 January 2011
clock icon 2 minute read
National Farmers Union

Under the proposed changes, which are out for consultation until March, official Animal Health Dairy Hygiene inspections on Red Tractor assured dairy farms will be reduced from once every two years to once in ten years. Non-assured farms will continue to be inspected once every two years.

NFU dairy board chairman Mansel Raymond said: “At long last the FSA has offered a sensible proposal to reduce the inspection burden.

“These ambitious proposals will make a huge difference to dairy farmers, who have long complained about the duplication, bureaucracy, cost and time associated with AHDH inspections.

“The FSA’s move to a more risk-based approach recognises the high standards of hygiene, welfare and quality being achieved on assured British farms. It fits in with the government’s better regulation agenda, and also takes cost out of the industry.

“I’m extremely pleased that the NFU’s strong lobbying on our members’ behalf looks to have paid off. It may have been a long time coming, but victory is now in sight.”

NFU Cymru Dairy Board Chairman Maurice Jones said, “At long last the FSA has offered a sensible proposal for reducing inspection burden on dairy farms. These ambitious proposals will make a huge difference to dairy farmers, who have long complained about the duplication, bureaucracy, cost and time associated with AHDH inspections.

“The FSA’s suggestion to reduce inspection burden by moving to a more risk based approach recognises the high standards of hygiene, welfare and quality being achieved on those dairy farms that are assured. It also fits in with the Government better regulation agenda, and also takes cost out of the industry.

“I’m extremely pleased that NFU Cymru’s persistent and strong lobbying on our members’ behalf looks to have paid off. It may have been a long time coming, but victory is now in sight.”

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