Tynwald will be asked to approve an order updating the charging structure for services the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture provides to the Meat Plant.
EU and local laws mean a DEFA vet leads the meat hygiene team that oversees activities at the Meat Plant, including animal health and welfare, prior to slaughter. The meat hygiene inspectors monitor the plant's procedures and assure resulting meat is suitable for human consumption.
The Department also provides Isle of Man Meats – operators of the Meat Plant – with an independent meat grading service. Carcases are given quality classifications upon which payments to farmers are calculated. This service is quality audited three times per year by the UK Meat Livestock Commission.
Typically, the Meat Plant slaughters animals two or three days a week, though it operates its cutting/processing room Monday to Friday.
On slaughter days, a vet, three meat hygiene inspectors and a meat grader work from 6.30am until around 4.30pm. A meat hygiene inspector works at the meat cutting plant at other times and vets also attend outside of slaughter times.
Current DEFA charges were set in 2001 and only recover a small proportion of the cost of the service.
When it sits this month, Tynwald will be asked to approve the Meat Hygiene, Inspection and Grading (Fees) Order, which sets out hourly charges for services.
Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said:
'Providing these services to the Meat Plant is an essential part of reassuring the public that we produce safe, top-quality food and achieve the Department's objective of protecting animal welfare, securing food safety and promoting local produce here and throughout the EU.
'These services come at 'significant cost' to DEFA and it is appropriate that the 'user pays' principal is applied.
'We have worked hard with Isle of Man Meats' management team to improve operational efficiency and we are keen to see a transparent charging mechanism, so the Meat Plant ensures services are used in a way that minimises the cost to both parties.'
The present payment system is based on the Meat Plant's throughput, irrespective of time involved, and, if agreed, would be replaced by hourly rates. This would achieve closer alignment with charging systems in place throughout the UK and with the cost of the services.
The revised charges would be phased in from June 2015 with DEFA recovering its costs fully by June 2017.
A refurbishment of the Meat Plant has almost been completed, with substantial Government grant funding, which will help lead to greater efficiencies.
