Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 4

Written Answers. - Beef Classification System.

Seán Ryan

Question:

26 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if further progress has been made in relation to the introduction of a mechanical grading system for beef at factory level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4945/02]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

Mechanical grading trials were carried out in Ireland in August 1999 and March 2000. Similar trials were also carried out in Germany, Denmark and France.

The consensus of opinion was that the trials in Ireland had been carried out in a highly professional manner. While the three machines involved achieved high accuracy results in relation to conformation and meat content of the carcases, they were less accurate in relation to fatness and, in general, they failed to attain the standards set down by the EU Commission in a draft regulation setting standards to be met by these machines prior to their approval for classification purposes. Following discussion in the beef management committee, the Commission agreed to carry out a pilot test to examine whether the standards and procedures set out in the draft regulation were practicable.

Germany was selected as the venue for the pilot test and a trial was carried out in September last year in which my Department was involved. The results of this trial should become available next month. It is hoped that the EU Commission will then set down definitive standards for the approval of automated classification systems. Any proposed system in Ireland will have to undergo an authorisation trial to ensure that it meets the approved standard. While continued progress is being made in regard to mechanical classification, it is likely that it will take some time yet for the introduction of a system which meets strict EU Commission standards. I fully support the introduction of a mechanical classification system and I will do everything possible to progress the matter.