The Food Standards Agency is undertaking a review of current official controls on meat, which includes a range of work to identify food safety hazards in connection with the production of meat and to establish effective methods for their control.
A research programme was set up in November 2009 to build the evidence necessary to support a case for regulatory change. The first phase of this research is now close to completion, however additional work has been identified.
The driving force behind this programme of work is to improve public health by adopting a more risk-and evidence-based approach to meat hygiene.
Modernisation of official controls on meat has been identified as a priority within the FSA’s Strategy for 2010–2015. This programme of work will contribute to the strategic outcome that regulation is effective, risk-based, and proportionate, is clear about the responsibilities of food business operators, and protects consumers and their interests from fraud and other risks.
Procurement:
The Agency has four requirements that it needs to commission (below). If you are interested in bidding for multiple requirements, please still complete an application form for each requirement, but include where appropriate any details of methods to streamline work, any economies of scale or other efficiencies you can offer, if you were to undertake multiple projects. The Agency anticipates an approximate project duration of six to nine months.
The body said the fours areas of research needed are:
- An evaluation of food chain information, and collection and communication of inspection results for all species.
- Trialling the visual inspection for fattening pigs from non-controlled housing conditions.
- A qualitative risk assessment of visual inspection of red meat and farmed/wild large game (all ages and species other than swine).
- Trialling the use of a plant inspection assistant in approved game handling establishments (small and large wild game).
Proposals should be sent, to be received by 5.00pm on Wednesday 6 April 2011 to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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