Beef grade changes under way
“This testing is purely a technical exercise to ensure that the mechanical grading system continues to perform to the highest standard,” said Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney in the Dáil.
“It is intended that such testing will be conducted in each establishment operating classification using automated grading techniques, with a view to the rolling out of the system across the country at some future point,” said the Minister.
Under test is a new set of grading equations approved by the EU Commission, based on a large sample size, and on the current bovine population, which was arrived at during a re-calibration trial of mechanical beef grading in 2013/14.
The equations stem from recommendations by the Beef Activation Group established as part of the Food Harvest 2020 plan.
Mr Coveney said they were prepared strictly in accordance with EU rules, overseen by the Department with a panel of international experts, and Teagasc acted as an independent body to analyse the results.
Responding to a Dáil question from Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesman Éamon Ó Cuív, Mr Coveney said the current testing of changes in mechanical beef grading is carried out under the close supervision of authorised classification officers, to ensure that no financial detriment occurs to any farmer.
