What action is the Welsh Government taking to help ensure that there are no delays caused to meat being inspected by qualified meat inspectors?
FSA Wales is using flexibilities in existing food legislation to support a reduced workforce, for example extending some inspection deadlines. On 30 March the EU also introduced new regulations that will allow the FSA to be even more flexible about how it and local authorities operate controls. We are working with other government departments to develop proposals on how to implement these new regulations.
The FSA has developed a business continuity plan to ensure that essential official controls, including meat inspections, can be carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes carrying out internal prioritisation exercises to ensure that staff are redeployed where they have the necessary skills to carry out operational duties.
The FSA has temporarily suspended all planned meat-premises audits where an establishment scored generally satisfactory or good in its last inspection. This action will reduce non-essential visits at this time and poses the minimum risk to consumer protection. Sites which received lower outcomes at their last audit will continue to be audited. Similarly, the unannounced inspection system will continue with a prioritisation programme in place.
The priority is to ensure that food and feed can move through supply chains as easily as possible without affecting food and feed safety. The FSA has also issued guidance for food businesses (including meat establishments) on COVID-19 which covers the requirements for social distancing at work to enhance operational staff safety. My officials are working closely with the FSA to monitor the situation and we may take further action as the pandemic progresses.