Beef classification to be automated
Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh welcomed the decision by the EU Beef Management Committee at a meeting yesterday.
He said he supported the development, which has the backing of beef producers and processors.
It was a priority issue in the on-going development of the beef sector where quality of product must be encouraged and rewarded.
Mechanical classification will further enhance Ireland's capacity to move up the value chain within the EU beef market and to broaden our market reach.
Mr Walsh said the testing of machines will commence in September with a view to having them operational in factories by 2004.
Newly developed technology has afforded the beef sector an important opportunity to further enhance the present high standard of classification.
Mr Walsh said prior to approval, machines would be subject to rigorous testing by an international jury.
ICSA national beef chairman Joe Kilmartin said the move would lead to a more consistent approach to the grading of cattle. However it was essential the calibrating of the grading machines was carried out and monitored independent of meat factories. "This should be seen as a first step towards the grading of cattle based on saleable meat yield, which is the only system that will truly promote the production of better quality cattle," he said.
