I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 to 150, inclusive, together.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing. In 2018, my Department conducted almost 550 unannounced, on-the-spot inspections in 32 factories on classification and carcase presentation. In 2017 there were 628 inspections carried out and 616 inspections in 2016. I am advised that there is no evidence that there has been any interference with the calibration of these machines over the past three years.
Weekly control reports are generated by the company that services and maintains the mechanical classification machines on behalf of the factories and a copy is sent to each individual factory and a copy emailed to my Department on a weekly basis. These reports are reviewed on a weekly basis by my Department.
The mechanical grading machines are the property of each individual meat plant. My Department has no responsibility for their replacement. It is a decision for the Industry, meat plants individually or collectively.