The good, the bad and the ugly of butchers’ shops’ licensing in England – one local authority’s experience

Butchers Licensing Regulations have been in force for two years. They require premises which handle unwrapped raw meat and sell raw meat alongside ready to eat foods to operate fully documented food safety management systems. These management systems are in keeping with the seven principles of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) as detailed by the Codex and are aimed at ensuring food safety and at improving consumer protection. This article focuses on the initial first year work undertaken by Derby City Council to get its 29 butcher’s shops successfully licensed. Data collated and evaluated is presented which gives a clear picture of standards in premises before and after licensing. Standards in the majority of the premises significantly improved and butchers attitudes in general appear to be more positive towards food safety. However substantial costs have been associated with licensing. There are important implications from these costs if the government is to consider licensing the rest of the UK food businesses.