| Wed 27 June 2012
'A new food standards body could see watering down of standards',
says UNISON
UNISON response to implementation of Scudamore review
UNISON has today raised concerns that a new food standards body
for Scotland could result in watering down of standards and says
it must not be used as a backdoor to privatisation.
The union highlighted its concerns in response to an announcement
by the Scottish Government to create a new body for food safety,
food standards, nutrition, food labelling and meat inspection.
While UNISON is not opposed in principle to devolution, it says
it is vital that any changes to the delivery of the Scottish
Meat Inspection Service are aimed at enhancing consumer protection
and animal welfare in Scotland.
Dave Watson, UNISON’s Scottish Organiser, said: “Our
members are rightly concerned of any move that may weaken public
protection and thereby damage the Scottish meat industry.
“We need to move away from the ‘boom and bust’ approach
to regulation that has, in the past, resulted in serious outbreaks
of food poisoning, such as the Wishaw ecoli outbreak.
“Any change to the delivery module of meat inspection
in Scotland should ensure it is protecting the public, not serving
industry, therefore we must ensure this is not used as a backdoor
to privatisation.
“It is essential that the government works closely with
our members to ensure the continued delivery of an effective
meat hygiene inspection service in Scotland.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
· The Scudamore Review is a Scottish Government review
on the future delivery of food standards in Scotland, led by
the UK's former chief vet, Jim Scudamore. This follows the UK
Government's decision in 2010 to absorb some of the policy areas
overseen in England by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), back
into Whitehall departments.
· For further information on UNISON’s view of the
Scudamore Review please see http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/ndpb/meathygiene/MeatHygieneInspectorsNewsletterFeb2012.pdf
For further information please contact:
Dave Watson, UNISON’s Scottish Organiser on 07958 122
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