Beef, pig and sheep carcass classification and price reporting in the European Union. European Commission, Unit C3 DG Agri. Brussels, 19 March 2014

Transcription

1 Beef, pig and sheep carcass classification and price reporting in the European Union European Commission, Unit C3 DG Agri Brussels, 19 March 2014

2 Carcass Classification Who are involved? Slaughterhouses : - slaughter 75 or more bovines/week - slaughter 200 or more pigs/week - slaughter sheep but classification depends on the Member State Classifiers who do the classification Authority who monitors the classification and price reporting 2

3 Beef Carcass Classification What is classification giving as a result? SEUROP grid aims to give a prediction of the quantity of beef in the important parts of the carcass Classification is only one of the factors determining the value of the carcase. Other factors are weight, age, breed, feeding etc. It is NOT giving the quality of beef as such. Beef quality characteristics are e.g. tenderness, taste, colour, intramuscular fat, etc. determined by other issues such as: breed, age, way of housing and feeding of animal, slaughter and proceeding processing of carcass (handling of live bovine, ph sugar/bulls, electro-stimulation, hipsuspension, chilling, maturation) etc. 3

4 Beef carcass classification scale Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 Six categories of carcasses of adult bovines Z A B Young bovine Young bull Bull Carcasses of animals aged from 8 months to less than 12 months Carcasses of uncastrated male animals aged from 12 months less than 24 months Carcasses of uncastrated male animals aged from 24 months C Steer Carcasses of castrated male animals D Cow Carcasses of female animals that have calved E Heifer Carcasses of other female animals aged from 12 months 4

5 Beef carcass classification scale Carcass classification based on two factors: Superior Excellent Conformation Poor S E U R O P Low Fat cover Very high

6 Who can classify? Qualified technicians who have obtained licence Neutral body: either governmental or private. Advantages: - objectivity more guaranteed; - rotation of classifiers Abattoir personnel Advantage: cheaper in many cases Combination of both OR Licensed automated grading techniques Only used in DK, IRL, UK-NI Optional not compulsory Advantages: Consistency in classification More precise determination of carcase value Source of additional information (meat yield prediction) and providing extra quality criteria (e.g. colour, meat quality) Disadvantages: expensive equipment for smaller abattoirs Discrepancies between automatic and 6 manual classifications

7 Monitoring of classifications Article 11(1) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 1249/2008: Checking classifiers + Controlling abattoirs Regulation defines minimum requirements 7

8 On the spot checks on beef classification Checks of classifier and abattoirs No prior warning by independent body Abattoirs >75 per week: checks 2 x per quarter Minimum 40 carcases per check Abattoirs < 75 per week: MS decides frequency and minimum number Using risk assessment from previous visits Member State to notify Commission by 1 July 2009 and after within one month of changes 8

9 Beef price reporting Regulation (EC) No 2273/2002 (live bovine animals) Regulation (EC) No 1249/2008 (beef carcasses) Overall aim: Continuous monitoring of developments on Community beef market Basis for EU support measures (e.g. public intervention, private storage, exceptional support measures, etc.) 9

10 Who should report weekly prices? Abattoirs slaughtering per year 20,000 adult bovines reared by it or on its behalf and/or animals purchased by it Natural or legal persons sending per year 10,000 adult bovines for slaughter to an abattoir Abattoirs, designated by the Member State, slaughtering per year < 20,000 adult bovines reared by it or on its behalf and/or animals purchased by it Natural or legal persons, designated by the Member State, sending per year < 10,000 adult bovines for slaughter to an abattoir 10

11 Representative prices for national production Prices must be recorded for at least: 25% of slaughtering in regions covering at least 75% of total slaughtering in the Member State 11

12 Per head or live weight purchases In case it relates to significant number, to derive individual price on carcass weight basis: Price for live animal Carcass weight Live weight price per kg live weight Carcass weight Aim: to ensure representative prices Note: rules on flat-rate purchases (if > 35% of total national slaughtering) : Price shall be taken into account for conformation class in which largest number of carcasses is classified or If they are equally divided amongst the classes, for the middle of those classes where such class exists 12

13 Weekly DW and LW prices published on 13

14 Member States annual reporting to the European Commission Distribution of carcass classifications Used for updating weighting coefficients Deadline: beginning of year n+2 Confidential list of price reporting abattoirs and natural/legal persons Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1249/2008 Deadline: 15 April 14

15 Pig classification Weighing and classification not more than 45 minutes after being stuck Lean meat estimation with device Six classes according to lean meat content: S 60% or more E 55 % < U 50 % < R 45% < O - 40% < P 40% >

16 Pig price reporting Commission Regulation (EC) No 1249/2008 Prices recorded: - 60 to less than 120 kg of grade: E, S to less than 180 kg of grade: R

17 Sheep classification Classification remains voluntary Classification-I/D-weighing within 1 hour of sticking M/S ensure classification by qualified classifiers Checks made by independent body agencies or competent authority 17

18 Sheep price reporting Commission Regulation (EC) No 315/2002 If the sheep meat production > 200 t per year, prices of fresh or chilled carcasses of lambs shall be communicated: - Wholesale prices or - Different categories of carcass prices 18

19 Common Provisions beef, pig, sheep Weekly reported prices No later than 12:00 Brussels time Wednesday By electronic means 19

20 Measures by Member States MS to ensure accuracy of reported prices MS to penalise infringements: in particular falsification/fraudulent use stamps/labels or classification by unlicensed personnel 20

21 Thank you for your attention! 21