SUMMARY: CONSULTATION ON MHS PERFORMANCE TARGETS FOR 2001/02
Welsh language version
Background
As a Next Steps Agency, the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) is required
to have published annual performance targets, and to report on the
extent to which they have been achieved in its Annual Report and
Accounts. Responsibility for formally approving the targets rests
with the Board of the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Consultation packages setting out draft targets for the MHS for
2001/02 were issued by the FSA’s London and Aberdeen offices on
15 January. Comments were invited from interested organisations
and individuals by 16 February.
Consultees Views
Substantive responses were received from seven organisations in
England and Wales, and three in Scotland. Consultees were generally
supportive of the targets. Some new targets were suggested. However,
after full consideration none of these were thought to be appropriate
for inclusion as high level targets. In addition a number of comments
were received on the detail of how the targets should be assessed
and / or on their consumer benefits.
A summary of the responses received and the
FSA commentary on the suggestions can be found on the MHS section
of the website (www.foodstandards.gov.uk/meat_hygiene.htm).
MHS Performance Targets for 2001/02
The targets were approved by the Board of the Food Standards
Agency at its meeting on 9 May. The targets were published on the
FSA website on 15 May.
The majority of the 2001 / 02 targets are a continuation of those
which were in force last year. This will allow a year on year comparison
of MHS performance to be made on key aims such as protecting public
health by reducing microbiological hazards in meat, strictly enforcing
the controls on Specified Risk Material (SRM) and ensuring that
MHS staff receive adequate training to ensure effective enforcement
of the hygiene and animal welfare legislation.
New targets introduced for 2001 / 02 require the MHS to:
- take action within three months to address the key operational
findings by missions from the European Commission’s Food and Veterinary
Office;
- strictly enforce the Over Thirty Month rule in licensed plants
(to complement the SRM target); and
- implement the accepted recommendations of the Deloitte efficiency
review of the MHS.
A full list of the MHS Performance Targets, giving issues, aims,
modes of assessment and consumer benefits is also available on the
MHS section of the website (see
address above).
Meat Hygiene Division
May 2001
