The consultation invites views and evidence on:
- the FSA’s rationale for change and the proposed revisions to the system of support to meet that rationale
- alternative views or suggestions that could help refine the proposals before final decisions are made by the FSA Board and ultimately Ministers in the three nations
- the potential impact on Food Business Operators, consumers and the wider food system that would arise from the changes
The responses will inform the final policy. They will ensure that any changes to the discount framework that are recommended to the FSA Board - and ultimately Ministers - are evidence-based, proportionate and transparent.
There are two distinct elements to the FSA’s meat charging regime:
- The charges for official controls.
- The financial support provided via a discount scheme.
Basic Approach would be for each financial year; the FSA would determine each establishment’s eligibility for support according to the model. For simplicity, the FSA proposes that for each eligible establishment a single percentage discount determined based on its historical throughput be applied. This discount would be applied to charges for all hours required to carry out the FSA official controls in eligible establishments in a financial year. It would remain the case that charges for any time spent on export activities or enforcement activities would not be subject to a discount.
The FSA would determine eligibility by placing each establishment in one of three categories below based on historical throughput (determined using legislative Livestock Unit (LSU) conversion rates or numbers of animals) as a proxy for business size:
- Maximum support - for establishments with historical throughput up to a Threshold (Threshold 1)
- Tapered support – for establishments with historical throughput above Threshold 1 and below a higher threshold (Threshold 2) with the discount percentage determined according to a linear taper from the point maximum support ends (Threshold 1) down to the point eligibility ends (Threshold 2)
- No automatic support – for establishments with throughput above Threshold 2
At this stage, the FSA is not consulting, or inviting views, on any changes to the system beyond those outlined in this consultation. These relate solely to proposals for a revised system of financial support via discounts to charges for official controls.
The consultation document can be viewed at:
Consultation on proposals for a revised system of financial support for abattoirs and game handling establishments | Food Standards Agency
The consultation will run until 12 June 2026, and we would appreciate members views by 5th June to incorporate in NFU Cymru’s response.
*To submit your views please email [email protected]*
NFU Cymru have repeatedly highlighted to the FSA and Government the critical importance of small medium and large abattoirs to the meat production chain. Without them we do not have an industry.
Maintaining or increasing current abattoir numbers in Wales and England is imperative as well as having the right number balance between the 3 categories each having their role in the supply chain.