(2) what assessment the Government has made of the impact of reducing funding to the Meat Hygiene Service on (a) disease control, (b) the agricultural economy, (c) the future of the service, (d) public confidence in food quality, (e) public health and (f) the profitability of small abattoirs.
I understand from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the Meat Hygiene Service, an Executive agency of the FSA, is funded by Government and charges levied to the meat industry. Over the next four years it is planned to reduce gross costs from an estimated £91 million in 2007-08 to an estimated £75 million in real terms in 2011-12. Estimated funding from Government and industry over this period is as follows:
2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Government funding 58.9 51.8 45.3 39.5 Industry funding 24.3 26.6 32.5 35.5 Total funding 83.2 78.4 77.8 75
Once we have concluded our work with stakeholders to agree a new system of charges, we will undertake a full impact assessment to ensure that these cost reductions will not be at the expense of animal welfare at slaughter, disease control, public confidence-in food or of public health.
It is envisaged that support for businesses will continue while official controls costs are reduced. Any proposed changes to the current charging arrangements will be subject to full public consultation.