The High Court has ruled that the Food Standards Agency’s 2025/26 charging model for meat‑sector inspections was unlawful, following a challenge brought by the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS).
The judgment found that the FSA had exceeded its statutory powers by including non‑recoverable overheads in its Main Rate, charging for work carried out by trainee veterinarians, and applying an Enforcement Rate that combined incompatible legal bases and captured activities that were not enforcement measures.
The Court ordered that the Main Rate, Enforcement Rate and supporting Cost Data Slides be quashed.
Toby Fisher acted for the First Interested Party.
Read the full judgment here.