At least 100,000 reasons for the FSA to change!

Firstly, thank you all for signing the petition and all of the supportive comments in reaching this amazing milestone. We very much appreciate the support we have received and ask you to continue sharing this with friends and family. On the 6th October this year, Heather Hancock Chairman of the Food Standards Agency, stated in an update regarding the company in West Bromwich where the recent Chicken hygiene scandal had been uncovered by ITN and the Guardian: “Consumers deserve food they can trust and can be reassured that we take allegations of poor practice very seriously” In 2006 a European Commission Department based in Dublin called the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) found serious failings in premises such as slaughterhouses. Whilst Heather Hancock was not the chairman of the FSA at that time, 11 years appears to be a little excessive for the FSA to sort out similar problems to those that have recently been reported by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism & ITN. The FSA appear to be a little bit quiet about the evidence, we believe was presented to them recently about these latest findings. Also, given that the FSA’s own audit of slaughterhouses reveal a significant amount of problems, it clearly demonstrates that all meat plants should be regularly inspected to ensure hygiene regulations are being strictly enforced. Heather Hancock also went on to say the following on the 6th of this month: “Although our initial inspection found no risk to public health, we are broadening our investigations until we are satisfied that this truly is the case. I am disappointed that ITN and the Guardian have not yet provided the information they committed to share and I would urge anyone who has evidence to share to bring it directly to us”. This statement doesn’t appear to be a confident response by the FSA. Although we do believe it is a sensible approach to fully investigate further. Also, one might have thought it would have been nice to thank the Guardian and ITV for bringing the problems they found to their attention.