Charges for official controls in approved meat establishments for 2026-27

8.1    When will FBOs get their FSS invoice?

FSS works in accounting periods - each containing four or five weeks. See Section 10 for the full accounting timetable. FBOs will normally receive an invoice each month, approximately two to three weeks after the end of the accounting period within which the work was carried out. Actual charges will be provided monthly.

Low throughput establishments will normally receive a monthly invoice for the actual hours worked less the discount.  

8.2    What should FBOs do if they have a query with their invoice?

If an FBO has any difficulty in understanding their charges, or they suspect that FSS may have made an error, they should contact a finance representative by email, within 30 days of the date on the invoice, who will be happy to assist them:

FSS invoice queries – email: charging@fss.scot

For all invoices not queried within the 30 days FSS will be expecting payment.

8.3    How can FBOs pay for their charges?

8.3.1    Payment terms

FSS invoices are due for payment immediately. If payment is not received promptly then recovery action may be taken (see section 8.3.3).

8.3.2    Payment methods

Bank account name: GBS NatWest Food
Sort code: 60-70-80
Account number: 10019715
Reference: “Receipts and the invoice number”

To pay by cheque, the cheque should be made payable to Food Standards Scotland. Please quote the invoice number being paid, the customer account and establishment number. Post cheques to:

FSS Finance Department
4th Floor
Pilgrim House
Old Ford Road
Aberdeen
AB11 5RL

8.3.3    Overdue invoices

Invoices unpaid over 31 days will be considered as debt, initially contact will be made by FSS asking for payment. If payment is not received within a week of the contact the overdue invoices will be forwarded to FSS debt collection agency for commencement of civil debt recovery proceedings through the courts. If court action is taken to recover outstanding debts the court will be asked to award FSS with the total debt inclusive of interest and any court costs.  

Successful court action will result in a judgment or a decree against the debtor and FSS would then be able to use a range of enforcement action to obtain payment, including the withdrawal of official controls.
If an FBO lodges a complaint under FSS Complaints Procedure (see paragraph 68), they must continue to pay their FSS invoices otherwise they could still face legal proceedings. Payment will in no way prejudice the consideration of complaints and if upheld the appropriate credit will be made as soon as possible.   

8.3.4    Withdrawal of official controls

If an FBO fails to pay for their official controls' charges, FSS may be entitled to withdraw its services from the establishment. In some circumstances this would prevent the FBO from producing meat for human consumption. These powers are set out in the Charges Regulations and are only used after all other means of debt recovery have been tried or are deemed to be ineffective. FSS will only withdraw official controls where a court judgment or decree has been obtained and the FBO fails to pay the debt for which judgment or decree has been obtained within a reasonable time after it is obtained.  

If an FBO is at all dissatisfied with any aspect of the service provided by FSS, they should contact their Operation Manager in the first instance. If this does not resolve their problem and they are still not satisfied, FSS complaints procedure is available to all customers and stakeholders.

FSS welcomes comments on this guide and FSS charging process in general. If you have any comments or suggestions for improvement on any aspect of FSS charging policy or this guide, please send them to:

Charges Guide
FSS Finance Department
Pilgrim House, Old Ford Road
Aberdeen, AB11 5RL Email: charging@fss.scot

9.1 Charge rates to food business operators of FSS-approved meat establishments 

The tables below show the hourly charge rates for FSS time spent on official controls. These apply from 30th of March 2026 until 28th of March 2027.

9.1 Official Veterinarian (OV)

9.2 Meat Hygiene Inspector (MHI)

9.3 Approvals and audit

This table outlines FSS’s monthly accounting timetable from 30 March 2026 to 28 March 2027.