HallMark Colleagues Join the 61st Association of Meat Inspectors Annual Seminar

Seven HallMark colleagues attended the Association of Meat Inspectors Trust 61st Annual Seminar, held from 11 to 13 September 2026 at Harper Adams University in Newport, Shropshire.

The HallMark delegation joined meat inspection professionals, regulators and industry representatives for three days of professional development, discussion and an opportunity to meet colleagues from across the profession.

Under the theme “60 Years Past – 60 Years Forward”, this year's seminar looked at current issues affecting meat inspection, Official Controls and animal welfare, while also considering how the profession may develop in the years ahead.

From SPS to the Future of Meat Inspection

The programme covered subjects closely connected with the work our teams carry out every day.

Friday included operational updates from the Food Standards Agency, Food Standards Scotland and DAERA, alongside the presentation of the Trainee Meat Hygiene Inspector of the Year.

Saturday's technical programme included animal by-products, the UK-EU SPS Agreement and how SPS arrangements and veterinary legislation may influence the delivery of meat Official Controls now and in the future. Delegates also heard a session on electrical head-only stunning.

The afternoon looked further ahead, with sessions covering challenges facing the poultry industry, “The Future of Meat Inspection – What Might It Look Like?”, alternatives to CO₂ stunning and an open forum about what members want from the Association.

Our colleagues came away particularly interested in discussions about the future of meat inspection, including the potential role of AI and new technology, as well as animal welfare and how practices may continue to improve.

Learning Together, Meeting Each Other

One of the benefits of the weekend went beyond the formal programme.

HallMark teams delivering Official Controls work across different establishments and locations, so opportunities for colleagues to meet face to face are not always easy to come by. For some of those attending, the seminar provided a welcome opportunity to spend time with colleagues from other sites and share their experiences.

The technical sessions also prompted plenty of discussion, particularly around the role of Meat Hygiene Inspectors, animal welfare and stunning, animal by-products, the future of meat inspection and SPS arrangements between the UK and EU.

That combination of professional learning and time with colleagues is one of the reasons events such as the AMI Annual Seminar are useful. They allow people working in different establishments and roles to compare experiences, discuss issues they encounter in practice and bring new knowledge and ideas back to their day-to-day work.

Supporting the Meat Inspection Profession

The Association of Meat Inspectors Trust has more than 60 years of history and is committed to promoting high standards of meat hygiene, inspection and public health across the UK. The Association also supports meat inspectors through professional development, education and collaboration.

HallMark was pleased to support this year's seminar by giving seven colleagues the opportunity to attend.

Meat Hygiene Inspectors have an important role within Official Controls, contributing every day to food safety, animal welfare and public health. Continuing professional development is part of maintaining that expertise, whether through formal training or opportunities to learn from others working across the profession.

Thank you to our colleagues for representing HallMark and sharing their experiences from the weekend, and to the Association of Meat Inspectors Trust for organising its 61st Annual Seminar.

Find out more about the Association of Meat Inspectors Trust.