Written evidence submitted by the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers incorporating National Association of Catering Butchers (COV0118)

Chairman:  John Thorley OBE FRAgS

1st May 2020

AIMS RESPONSE TO EFRA COMMITTEE CALL FOR EVIDENCE#

We are only in a position to respond on the first matter “Have the measures announced by the Government to mitigate the disruptions to the food supply chain caused by the pandemic been proportionate, effective and timely?”

In the meat sector, the challenge was to maintain a supply of safe food for the public, especially in times where there was panic buying, as well as uncertainty over staff attendance.

The internal pressures were multiple:

• Sourcing of livestock
• Staffing the factories
• Maintaining a safe workplace for everyone
• Sourcing consumables and PPE
• Adapting businesses when customer bases changed (closure of catering sector, move to home delivery)
• Accommodating a government presence (FSA vets and meat inspectors) on site in abattoirs (we cannot process without their presence).

There were delays in the production of government guidance for operations in a safe workplace (PPE for the food sector, social distancing in the food sector), which, alongside pressure from unions, made it difficult to implement necessary changes so that production could progress.

The timing of implementation varied between the devolved administrations which really did not assist.

The presence of FSA brought its own problems. Some officials locally sought to be the enforcers of coronavirus legislation, and, whilst FSA have a responsibility to their staff, it is our members who have ultimate responsibility for the provision of a safe working environment for everyone. This was resolved as the pandemic progressed with AIMS (along with other key stakeholders) working directly with senior FSA managers to share intelligence.

Decision making and implementation was inhibited due to the lack of clarity over who in FSA makes the policy and who is responsible for its delivery.  This appears to be the result of FSA being responsible both for policy and delivery, which is further complicated by the Agency passing some responsibility for delivery to a third party. Other food production, where FSA makes the policy and local authorities deliver it, did not suffer from the same problems.

Defra, on the other hand, were incredibly supportive from the start, understanding that the food sector and its role in feeding the nation would be essential. Daily conference calls, lobbying other government departments, and allowing cooperation and collaboration where appropriate, was immensely helpful.

Association of Independent Meat Suppliers