SAMW President Alan Brown said the industry fully recognised the importance the new Government has placed on food affordability and household budgets, adding that this ambition must now be matched by a regulatory and charging environment which supports, rather than undermines, the competitiveness of Scotland's red meat supply chain.

"Scotland's red meat sector is one of the treasures of the Scotland Food & Drink portfolio," said Mr Brown. "It underpins high-quality Scottish produce, supports rural communities and sustains significant economic activity across the country.

"Our member businesses directly employ more than 3,000 people in Scotland's abattoirs and meat processing plants, with many more indirect jobs supported across farming, haulage, retail, wholesale, and the wider supply chain. These are skilled jobs rooted in Scotland, and they depend on a processing sector that is competitive, efficient and able to grow.

"That is why we look forward to working with the new Scottish Government and with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, whose remit includes oversight of Food Standards Scotland (FSS). We believe there is a strong alignment between the Government's food policy commitments and the need for a fairer, more sustainable approach to FSS charges."

SAMW has written to the Cabinet Secretary seeking an early meeting to discuss the sharp rise in FSS inspection charges for 2026/27, following concerns first raised with the previous previous Cabinet Secretary, Jenni Minto, ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary election.

Under the FSS charging proposals, issued shortly before the election, the charge for Official Veterinarians is due to rise by 10.41%, with Meat Hygiene Inspector charges set to increase by 8.61%.

Mr Brown said that while official controls are essential to public health, consumer confidence and market access, the way in which those controls are delivered must also support efficient business operations, economic growth and employment.

"FSS has an important role, and SAMW fully supports the need for robust official controls," he said. "However, the operational delivery side of FSS should also be working in a way that helps industry to function efficiently, compete successfully and grow.

"If the Scottish Government wants to support food affordability, strengthen Scotland's food and drink economy and protect jobs, then the costs imposed on essential food businesses cannot simply continue to rise year after year without proper challenge.

"At present, when FSS faces cost pressures of its own, too much of that burden appears simply to be passed directly on to industry. That leaves meat businesses trying to absorb rising inspection costs at the same time as they are managing wider supply chain pressures. Ultimately, those pressures make it harder to keep businesses viable, protect jobs and support affordable food for consumers."

SAMW said the issue was especially important as the sector enters the second half of the year, with continued pressure on operating margins and wider uncertainty affecting food and farming businesses.

The Association is asking the new Government to reconsider the scale and timing of the proposed 2026/27 FSS charge increases and ensure that the delivery of official controls is efficient, proportionate and aligned with wider economic and food policy objectives.

SAMW is also calling for the Scottish Government's discount provision to be enhanced on a temporary basis while a more sustainable long-term charging model is developed.

"We want to move away from an annual battle over inspection charges," said Mr Brown. "That does not help industry, it does not help Government, and it does not help consumers.

"Our objective is to work with the new Government and with FSS on a meat charging model and operational delivery model that recognises the economic importance of Scotland's red meat sector and will support growth, jobs and competitiveness.

"The new programme for Government provides an important opportunity to reset this relationship. SAMW is ready to engage positively and constructively to ensure that official controls charging policy supports, rather than constrains, one of Scotland's most valuable food and drink sectors."