EU Beef Carcase Classification
Ó An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Ó An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
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 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
Beef Carcase Classification and Price Reporting - Annual Report 2022
Modification Trial Report
Modification Trial Report
Report on a modification trial of the Mechanical Beef Classification System currently in use in Ireland
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
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 1st Quarter 2024
January - March
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 1st Quarter 2023
April - June
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 2nd Quarter 2023
July - September
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 3rd Quarter 2023
October - December
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 4th Quarter 2023
January - June 2023
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 1st Half 2023
July - December
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 2nd Half 2023
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – Full Year 2023
January - March
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 1st Quarter 2022
April - June
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 2nd Quarter 2022.
July - September
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 3rd Quarter 2022
October - December
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 4th Quarter 2022
January - June 2022
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 1st Half 2022.
July - December 2022
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 2nd Half 2022
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir - Full Year 2022
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 1st Quarter 2021
April - June
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir - 2nd Quarter 2021
July - September
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 3rd Quarter 2021
October - December
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir - Last Quarter 2021
January - June 2021
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir - 1st Half 2021
July - December 2021
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 2nd Half 2021
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir - Full Year 2021
January - March
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 1st Quarter 2020
April - June
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 2nd Quarter 2020
July - September
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 3rd Quarter 2020
October - December
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 4th Quarter 2020
January - June 2020
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 1st Half 2020
July - December 2020
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – 2nd Half 2020
Classification Percentages by Individual Abattoir – Full Year 2020
Further information can be obtained from