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EU Beef Carcase Classification
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The aim of Beef Carcase Classification is to ensure a common classification standard throughout the European Union. This enables the EU to operate a standardised beef price reporting system.
The criteria for classifying are as follows:
- Conformation (the shape and development of the carcase): is denoted by the letters E, U, R, O, P with E being the best and P the poorest;
- Fat: the degree of fat is denoted by the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in order of increasing fatness;
- Sex category: denoted by the letters A (young bull), B (bull), C (steer), D (cow), E (heifer) and Z (Veal 8-12mts).
Conformation and Fat grades are further broken down into sub classes e.g. R+3-, O=,2+.
Classification information is returned to the supplier by the slaughter plant on the producer return. This producer return will also state whether the classification was carried out by mechanical or manual methods.
From late 2004, most beef carcasses (90%) are classified by mechanical means using VIA technology (Video Image Analysis). As the determination of classification in this case is objective, no appeal is possible.
In smaller plants, classification is carried out by factory employees who have been licensed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. In these cases, the supplier can appeal the decision of the classifier to the slaughter plant.
Annual Reports
Beef Carcase Classification and Price Reporting - Annual Report 2023
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Beef Carcase Classification and Price Reporting - Annual Report 2022
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Modification Trial Report
Modification Trial Report
Report on a modification trial of the Mechanical Beef Classification System currently in use in Ireland
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Procedure for appealing classification grades in manual factories
1. Any supplier wishing to appeal a carcase classification must firstly appeal to the factory management where the carcase was slaughtered. Management must then have the carcase re-classified by a second licensed factory grader. This cannot be the same grader that originally classified the carcase. A grader from another factory may be used where a second factory grader is not available.
2. Where a supplier is still not satisfied with this second classification result, the supplier may seek a DAFM appeal by informing the factory. If a carcase was already checked for classification by a routine DAFM inspection, that classification will be considered the adjudicated grade.
3. The factory must notify DAFM by phone and email that the supplier wishes to make an appeal of the classification to DAFM.
4. The factory must complete form A1 and forward a scanned copy to DAFM. The information required to facilitate a DAFM appeal must include slaughter date, carcase number, classifier number of both licensed classifiers and their original and the re-classified grade.
5. The factory must commit to holding the carcase until the DAFM classification takes place.
6. Reclassification is only possible when the carcasses are unaltered i.e. not hip hung, quartered or subjected to post scales trimming which would alter the original conformation or fat cover on the carcase. Where a carcase is hip hung, reclassification is limited to fat cover.
7. Reclassification is carried out by a classification officer of DAFM at the earliest opportunity.
8. DAFM informs the factory when the reclassification is due to take place. The factory must advise the supplier of these details.
9. Following classification by DAFM, the classification officer completes the Form A1 and leaves the original with the factory. A copy is kept by DAFM.
10. A copy of the completed classification appeal form will be forwarded to all parties by DAFM.
11. Carcass classification appeals constitute a classification de novo of the carcass, i.e. it supersedes any previous grade applied.
Completed forms to be returned to carcaseappeals@agriculture.gov.ie
January - March
January - March
April - June
July - September
October - December
January - June 2023
July - December
January - March
April - June
July - September
October - December
January - June 2022
July - December 2022
- January - March. Revised on 06/07/2021.
April - June
July - September
October - December
January - June 2021
July - December 2021
January - March
April - June
July - September
October - December
January - June 2020
July - December 2020
- Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1182 of 20 April 2017
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017
- S.I. No. 254 of 2019 European Union (Carcase Classification and Price Reporting) Regulations 2019
- ICBF - https://www.icbf.com/wp/
- EU Statistics on weekly and latest live prices, beef remainders, production, and trade - https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/farming/facts-and-figures/markets/overviews/market-observatories/meat/beef-statistics
- Beef Pricewatch App - https://publicapps.agriculture.gov.ie/bpw-ui/#/
Further information can be obtained from
Beef Classification Section
Address:
Beef Classification Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Grattan Business Centre, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
Phone number: