18 CRAFTBUTCHER l SEPTEMBER 2019


MEMBERS ADVICE PRIMARY AUTHORITY: IT’S TIME TO JOIN UP!


have met Paul at NCB events and of course he writes regularly for this magazine. NCB staff have formed a good working relationship with Paul and his colleagues, and we are constantly in touch. Paul is an ex-butcher boy and meat inspector and has always retained an interest in the industry.


RICHARD STEVENSON, TECHNICAL MANAGER Delivering advice to Members


More and more members are checking out Primary Authority (PA) these days and the numbers of craft butchers registered continues to grow steadily.


If you have thought about joining previously but never got around to it, why not have another look? Check out the information on the website. If there is anything you are unsure about, please give me a call for a friendly chat or drop me an email. I will be happy to advise you and discuss any concerns.


We have made registering as easy as possible. The application form is available to complete and submit in the members area of the website. As you will see it is very straight forward and doesn’t ask for much more than basic contact details. Your information will be held on a confidential government website and only accessible by local authorities.


Your Primary Authority: Horsham District Council When you join PA, you will effectively be in a partnership with Horsham District Council (HDC). We, National Craft Butchers fulfil the role of “Co-ordinator”. Registering for PA does not commit you to anything and you are free to leave at any time.


The Principal EHO at Horsham is Paul Hobbs. Many members


The “Assured Advice” Paul and I wrote the PA Assured Advice on which the whole scheme is based and in 2015 we were named Primary Authority of the Year. We also recently launched a charcuterie advice supplement which has been very well received.


You can check out the PA Assured Advice in the members area of the website. We set out to make the advice as butcher friendly as possible using our combined experience of dealing with butchers over many years. We don’t think you will find it very different to any other advice you have seen or, just as importantly, to systems and procedures you already work to.


There is however one big unique difference with PA Assured Advice in that, unlike all other guidance, it is legally backed. As long as you are following the advice you can be assured you are doing the right thing, and no one can demand you do anything differently. This also means that if your local authority wishes to take any form of enforcement action against you, they MUST first refer the matter to Horsham District Council. HDC have the legal power to block any action by other local authorities. The only proviso is that businesses must be following the assured advice.


How do EHOs View PA? There is no doubt that when PA was first introduced there were a few EHOs who were


against the scheme and saw it as a threat and intrusion to their traditional role and independence.


However, I think it is fair to say that these days most officers are much more positive about PA and can see the benefits. The government has also done some research that has showed that PA has improved standards, which is in everyone’s interest.


Very often Horsham District Council is consulted by other local authorities on butchery and meat related issues and this has also helped build confidence. There have also been many cases of Horsham becoming involved in situations that I have referred to them and they have been able to talk to another Council informally to help sort out problems without confrontation and before anything becomes a major issue.


What About Scores on the Doors? There is no direct link between PA and the Food Hygiene Rating System, however if you follow the Assured Advice there is every chance you will be awarded a good score.


Surveys have shown that businesses in a Primary Authority scheme tend to score higher. Last year I conducted a telephone poll of members in PA and found that the average score was 4.86 with 18% experiencing an increase in their score since joining PA.


The Food Standards Agency is also positive about PA and see it as an important part in how food businesses will be regulated in future alongside the rating system.


For all queries relating to PA telephone 01892 541 412 or email richard@ nationalcraftbutchers.co.uk


Seven Other Great Reasons to Join PA • Its free to full members • You get a nice professional-looking certificate to put on your wall to impress customers. • Great aid for HACCP with template forms and monitoring sheets etc. • Comprehensive and easy to follow staff training section • Excellent allergen information which will be updated in line with future new legislation. • Downloadable Hygiene Signage • Our new charcuterie supplement


Feedback We are always happy to receive comments and suggestions from members on any aspect of Primary Authority or the Assured Advice. In fact, feedback is an important part of the scheme and is fed into regular reviews and updates. n


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