EC Food and Veterinary Office Mission

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10 February 2011
Dear Douglas

EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOOD AND VETERINARY OFFICE MISSION

The European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) have advised that they will be visiting the UK between 7-18 March to assess how the UK's authorities comply with EU controls on beef labelling and cattle ID and traceability.

My purpose in writing is to explain a bit about the Mission and also to let you know that we anticipate that some of your members may be involved in some aspects of the visit. We will endeavour to give as much advance notice that we can if any premises in Scotland are selected for a visit by the EU Inspectors, and we would appreciate your members' cooperation during such visits.

Over the course of the two week mission the FVO intend to visit a selection of farms, markets, slaughterhouses, cutting and processing plants, butchers and supermarkets throughout the whole of the UK. They will also be visiting the British Cattle Movement Service in Workington.

In addition to some pre-planned visits, the first week will also include a tracing exercise, whereby the FVO will purchase samples of meat from several retail outlets, probably in London. Our job will be to trace the meat back through the chain, to farm, if possible, and provide the Mission team with a paper trail by the end of the week. At the beginning of the second week the FVO will advise their itinerary for that week. This will be based on what they see in the first week, and the outcome of the tracing exercise.

At the end of the Mission, the FVO will produce a draft report of their findings for comments. We will circulate a copy of their report when it becomes available.

Defra hope to have a meeting with the FVO on 15 February, so we should know more details of the visit after that. We will keep you informed of developments.

We are making every effort to ensure the mission runs smoothly, in liaison with colleagues in the other UK Departments

Please feel free to give me a call if you have any questions.

Yours sincerely
MARTIN MORGAN
Head of Livestock Policy
T: 0131-244 9289 F: 0131-244 9690
E: [email protected]