Britain’s livestock industries are to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) collection and communication of inspection results (CCIR), with examples from the pig sector leading the way in some parts of the programme.
The new all-industries move was sparked by discussions at a recent “Information flow in the meat chain” event, where it was agreed that there are clear gains to be made from working together.
“Industry stakeholders need to work together to ensure that a robust, reliable and respected data collection system is created and implemented,” said AHDB Beef and Lamb supply chain development manager, Christine Walsh, adding that the pig and poultry industries had already been “relatively successful” in implementing CCIR.
“The new FSA data collection system is an exciting development. However, in all sectors it’s clear that further research needs to be completed first.”
AHDB pork health information and food safety coordinator, Ouafa Doxon, agreed: “Over £60m is lost to the English beef, sheep and pig sectors every year through animal illnesses such as pneumonia, pleurisy and liver fluke. By communicating post mortem inspection results clearly to farmers, however, it will enable them to take action and improve their herd/flock health and productivity.”