The impact of discounts on charges for activity in meat premises
Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales
Detail of outcome
The feedback received from this call for evidence has been used to shape the proposed revised system of financial support for abattoirs and game handling establishments.
The FSA Board reviewed progress of the evaluation at its public meeting on 18 June 2025, informed by a paper prepared in the light of the further stakeholder engagement and economic analysis. A formal Summary of Responses to the Call for Evidence was published alongside the paper. At the meeting, the Board agreed there was rationale for future support around delivering ‘public goods and benefits’ in the form of maintaining or increasing diversity in both farming and consumer choice and directed FSA officials to develop proposals in line with these.
In so doing, the Board:
-
Acknowledged that smaller businesses face a greater proportional regulatory burden; the importance of the discount to their viability; and the importance of continued support for small and some medium-sized abattoirs in the interests of consumers, businesses, the wider rural economy and supporting diversities in food supply.
-
Agreed there were no persuasive arguments or evidence forthcoming for the FSA providing support to large abattoirs, whilst noting the differences in industry and agriculture systems structure in Northern Ireland.
-
Discussed the need to provide for growth by avoiding cliff edges and how support could be targeted to recognise other factors such as compliance with standards and animal welfare
-
Recognised the importance of a future support system that is simplified and operational within existing legislative parameters
The consultation on proposals for a revised system of financial support for abattoirs and game handling establishments continues the collaborative approach the FSA has taken to its evaluation of the current discount scheme and development of proposals for a revised support system.
Original call for evidence
Call for evidence description
The purpose of the call for evidence is to gather evidence on how discounts applied to charges for official controls (OC) and other official activities (OOA) for businesses in the meat sector provide benefits to businesses and consumers.
This call for evidence will be most relevant to:
- Food business operators (FBOs) in the meat industry whose activities are subject to official controls (OC) and other official activities (OOA) charged for by the FSA
- Trade associations representing such FBOs
- Suppliers and customers of such FBOs and their trade associations
- Associations and groups representing the wider interests of consumers in relation to food, especially of those who consume the products produced by such FBOs or to which they contribute
- Individuals or groups of consumers with an interest in the topic
- Authorities and professional associations representing those who carry out OC and OOA, including enforcement, in meat premises
- Experts in the policy and law of regulatory charging or the meat industry, including departments of UK governments
- Experts with expertise relevant to the meat sector and its relationship with the wider food system