This comes after meat suppliers Russell Hume and Fairfax Meadow, which both serve products to pubs, were investigated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) due to various “mislabelling” concerns.
A joint statement was released which said: “We – the FSA, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and representatives of the meat industry across the UK – met to discuss concerns arising from the recent examples of non-compliance with food hygiene regulations identified at a small number of meat-cutting plants.
“The discussion was constructive and engaging with all in the meeting agreeing the need for close collaboration and co-operation between regulators and industry in responding to the issues raised by recent events."
Highest standards
It added: “As regulators and industry bodies, we have a shared interest in making sure that consumer trust in the UK meat industry remains high.
“The food chain depends on trust and we want people to be confident that the meat they enjoy has been produced to the highest standards.
“We recognise that some concerns have been uncovered by recent regulatory inspections. In most cases, businesses involved have taken actions to demonstrate compliance and continue to trade normally."
Enforcement procedures
The statement also highlighted that the Government's bodies would work with meat suppliers.
It said: “Where those concerns were serious, enforcement procedures have been put in place. We will continue to work together to support meat businesses in fully understanding what is expected of them in relation to current regulations and ensuring full and effective industry engagement with the forthcoming FSA/FSS review of cutting plants and cold stores.”
Meat industry trade bodies represented at the meeting:
- Association of Independent Meat Suppliers
- British Meat Processors Association
- British Poultry Council
- Farmers’ Union of Wales
- Hampshire Game
- International Meat Trade Association
- National Association of Catering Butchers
- National Federation of Meat and Food Traders
- Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association
- Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers