HC Deb 25 July 2000 vol 354 cc493-4W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what performance targets have been set for the Meat Hygiene Service in 2000–01. [133030]

Ms Stuart

Following consultation with interested organisations, the board of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) approved at its meeting on 20 July the following performance targets for the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) for 2000–01:

1. Public Health Protection (a) Reduction of microbiological hazards in meat:

  • Fully apply MHS Clean Livestock Policy.
  • Not to apply the health mark stamp to any meat showing visible faecal or alimentary tract contents contamination.
  • Take effective action in slaughterhouses with low Hygiene Assessment System (HAS) scores to improve hygiene standards.
(b) Removal of Specified Risk Material (SRM) from the human and animal food chain: Strictly enforce SRM controls in abattoirs.

2. Animal Welfare Strictly enforce Welfare at Slaughter and Killing Regulations.

3. Staff Training Provide update training for all Principal Official Veterinary Surgeons and lead Official Veterinary Surgeons (OVSs) in enforcement (training course to be developed in liaison with FSA Legal Services). Provide update training for 33 per cent. of lead OVSs in animal welfare at slaughter (training course to be developed in liaison with Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Animal Welfare Division). Provide refresher training for 33 per cent. of lead OVSs in hygiene requirements (training course to be developed in liaison with FSA Veterinary Public Health Unit). All training to be completed by 31 March 2001 and to comply with Investors in People standards.

4. Customer Focus

  • Provision of high quality service
  • Introduce an independent element to MHS Appeals System.
  • Sign up to Government Enforcement Concordat.
  • To meet the FSA targets for customer service.
  • Maintain full compliance with Charter Mark standards.

5. Value for Money Efficiency To implement those recommendations in the Pooley report applicable to the MHS and accepted by the FSA for implementation in 2000–01. To implement those recommendations in the external efficiency review accepted, and within the timetable laid down, by the FSA Board.

6. Financial Performance To operate within the cash allocations as agreed with the FSA. To recover from government departments, agencies and the Intervention Board Executive Agency (IBEA) the full economic costs (calculated in accordance with the relevant charging legislation and accruals accounting) of providing agreed services or other work undertaken on their behalf.

A copy of the consultation package, summary of responses and details of the assessment of these targets have been placed in the Library. They are also available on the FSA website at www.foodstandards.gov.uk.