WIREDGOV

The overhaul of the Collection and Communication of Inspection Results (CCIR) system is being overseen by the FSA and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). 

The FSA and the AHDB are working closely with representatives from the meat industry, including producers and processors and other Government departments to review the data collected by Meat Hygiene Inspectors at post-mortem inspection. 

Ramon Romero, the FSA Programme Lead, said: 'The FSA and AHDB recognise the paramount importance of the health of the UK national herd. A healthy national herd is good for the consumer and also helps drive UK exports.

'The current system has been effective in protecting consumers, but we know it can be more efficient, particularly around how the inspection results are shared, so problems can be addressed more quickly. 

'The meetings we have had with industry have been very productive with primary producers and veterinarians being very specific about the sort of information that they require, particularly findings about parasitic conditions, pneumonias and other conditions that affect the health and welfare of their animals.

'Following meetings with the meat industry stakeholders the FSA has agreed to update the list of post-mortem rejection conditions, the health or welfare conditions that stop animals going into the food chain. The list is being updated to ensure each condition relates directly to public or animal health, or animal welfare. Ultimately the use of this data should increase efficiency and sustainability in the industry.'

Ouafa Doxon, AHDB Beef & Lamb collection and communication of inspection results project coordinator, said: 'This is an important milestone in the collection and communication of inspection results that can be of significant benefit for beef and lamb producers.'

Fiona Steiger, from the BMPA, said: 'The BMPA is delighted that the FSA has got the bit between its teeth on reforming the CCIR system and making it more pertinent and useful to both processors and producers.  The project is moving quickly and there have been useful meetings with industry-wide participation to develop the list of conditions that need to be recorded at inspection for both public and animal health reasons.  Everyone is working towards developing a system that makes recording conditions easier for Meat Hygiene Inspectors and results in more consistent and accurate information being relayed back to producers. The FSA and AHDB are working with processors to finalise the recording aspects of the system and how the FSA recording system will interface with abattoirs’ management systems.'

Tom Fullick, NFU livestock adviser, said: 'It's great to see such a collaborative approach from the FSA and industry on CCIR; a great deal of useful information can flow from the abattoir back to farmers to enable them to action issues on the farm, or recognise where their system is performing well. We're at the beginning of a process that I think will pay great dividends for farmers and the rest of the food chain as more relevant information reaches the right people.'

Emma Bailey-Beech, the Health Information and Food Safety Coordinator at AHDB Pork, who has been working closely with key pork processors said:-'The pig industry are approaching some key milestones for this exciting project, but we mustn’t lose sight on finding a solution for all parties.'

Those interested in responding to the consultation should contact ramon.romero@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk . Meanwhile, IT systems and new reporting mechanism are also being tested and validated in collaboration with some processors to ensure the FSA and AHDB deliver a system fit for purpose .