COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
fis 
!- C0M(92) 65 final 
t—,. 
S Brussels, 23 March 1992 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
determining the Community scale for the classification of carcases of 
ovine animals and determining the Community standard quality of 
fresh or chilled sheep carcases 
(presented by the Commission) 
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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Council Regulation (EEC) No 338/91C) determining the Community standard 
quality of fresh or chilled sheep carcases applies for both the 1991 and 1992 
marketing years. During discussions at the Council on that regulation the 
Commission indicated its intention of introducing a carcase classification 
scheme with a view to its eventual use for price reporting purposes. Against 
this background the Council limited the application of its regulation on 
standard quality to two years. The Commission has now completed the 
background work necessary prior to making a proposal with the aid notably of 
a report prepared by an "ad hoc" group of the Sheep and Goat Consultative 
Commi ttee. 
The carcase classification grid now proposed is based on five conformation 
and five fat classes. However, for animals lighter than 13 kg carcase weight 
a classification grid based on these two characteristics does not describe 
their characteristics adequately. Given the importance of these carcases 
notably in Mediterranean member states, it is proposed that a second grid 
encompassing weight, meat colour and fatness levels could be applied to them. 
While it is expected that the classification systems proposed will benefit 
the entire sheep industry their principal use in a regulatory framework will 
be in the area of price reporting. The Commission proposes that the present 
definition of standard quality be strengthened through the application to it 
of standards contained within the classification system. Thus carcases over 
12 kg in weight and falling within conformation classes U R 0 and fat classes 
2 and 3 wiI I be taken into account for price reporting purposes. However, in 
the weight range 12-13 kg, for Members States using the alternative 
classification system the criteria to be taken into account shall be meat 
colour and fat level. Carcases in that weight range will be classified as 
first and second quality for price reporting purposes. 
(1) OJ No L 41, 14.2.1991, p. 1 
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The Commission is aware that, given the importance of price reporting based 
on live marketings of sheep in several Member States, it may not be possible 
to switch over solely to sheep carcase based price reporting in 1993. In 
these circumstances, the Commission considers it necessary that price 
reporting based on live animals be permitted to continue under conditions to 
be determined (Management Committee) so as to achieve an equivalence with the 
carcase classification grid. 
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Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
determining the Community scale for the classification of carcases of 
ovine animals and determining the Community standard quality of 
fresh or chilled sheep carcases 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3013/89^^ of 25 September 
1989 on the common organization of the market in the sheepmeat and goatmeat 
sector, as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1741/91(2*, and in 
particular Article 4(2) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas a carcase classification standard is necessary in order to permit the 
determination of a permanent standard quality; 
Whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 338/91<3> of 5 February 1991 
determining the Community standard quality of fresh or chilled sheep carcases 
applied for the 1991 and 1992 marketing years pending the setting up of 
Community carcase classification standards; whereas these standards should 
now be set ; 
(1) OJ No L 289, 7.10.1989, p. 1. 
(2) OJ No L 163, 26.6.1991, p. 41 
(3) OJ No L 41, 14.2.1991, p. 1. 
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Whereas the classification must be made on the basis of conformation and the 
degree of fat cover; whereas the combination of these two criteria enables 
carcases of ovine animals to be divided into classes; whereas classified 
carcases must be identified; 
Whereas, however, other criteria, in particular weight, meat colour, and fat 
cover, may be used for the classification of carcases of lambs less than 
13 kg weight; whereas Member States wishing to use these criteria should 
inform the Commission and other Member States; 
Whereas, in order to ensure the uniform application of this Regulation in the 
Community, provision should be made for on-the-spot checks by a Community 
inspect ion group; 
Whereas the definition of the Community standard quality should take account 
of the carcase classification standards established in this Regulation, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
Art icle 1 
This regulation lays down Community classification scales for the carcases of 
sheep. It also determines the Community standard quality of fresh or chilled 
sheep carcases. 
Art icle 2 
For the purposes of carcase classification the following presentations shall 
apply: 
(a) carcase: the whole body of a slaughter animal as presented after 
bleeding, evisceration and skinning, presented without the head 
(severed at the atlanto-occipital joint), 
the feet (severed at the carpo-metacarpal or tarsometatarsal Joints), 
the tail (severed between the sixth and seventhcaudal vertebrae), 
the udder, the genetalia, the liver and the pluck. Kidneys and kidney 
fat are included in the carcase. 
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(b) half-carcase: the product obtained by separating the carcase referred 
to in (a) symmetrically through the middle of each cervical, dorsal, 
lumbar and sacral vertebra and though the middle of the sternum and the 
ischiopubic symphysis. 
However, Member States shall be authorized according to the procedure 
provided for in Article 30 of Regulation (EEC) No 3013/89 to accept different 
presentations when this reference presentation is not used. 
In such instances, the adjustments necessary to progress from those 
presentations to the reference presentation shall be determined in accordance 
with the same procedure. 
Art icle 3 
1. Carcases of ovine animals shall be divided into the following 
categor ies: 
carcases of lamb under twelve months old, 
carcases of other sheep. 
2. The carcases of ovine animals shall be classified by assessment 
respect ively of: 
(a) conformation, 
(b) fat cover, 
as identified in Annexes I and II, respectively. 
However, for lambs of less than 13 kg carcase weight, Member States may 
be authorized to use the following criteria for classification; 
(a) carcase weight 
(b) colour of meat 
(c) fat cover, 
as defined in Annex III. 
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Member States which intend to use this authorization shall so notify 
the Commission and the other Member States prior to 30 June 1992. 
3. Member States shall be authorized to subdivide each of the classes 
envisaged in Annexes I and II into a maximum of three sub-classes. 
Article 4 
1. Carcases or half-carcases shall be classified as soon as possible after 
slaughter and such classification shall be carried out in the 
slaughterhouse itself. 
2. The classified carcases or half-carcases shall be identified by 
marking. 
3. The detailed rules for applying this Article shall be adopted in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 30 of Regulation 
No 3013/89. 
Art icle 5 
On-the-spot inspection shall be carried out by a Community inspection group 
composed of experts from the Commission and experts appointed by the Member 
States. This group shall report back to the Commission on checks carried 
out. 
The Commission shall, if appropriate, take the measures necessary to ensure 
that the classification is carried out in a uniform manner. 
The inspections shall be carried out on behalf of the Community, which shall 
bear the resulting costs. 
The detailed rules for applying this Article shall be adopted in accordance 
with the procedure laid down in Article 30 of Regulation No 3013/89. 
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Art icle 6 
Additional provisions specifying the definition of the classes of 
conformation, fat cover, carcase weight and colour of meat shall be adopted 
in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 30 of Regulation (EEC) 
No 3013/89 before 31 October 1992. 
Art icle 7 
1. The Community standard quality of fresh or chilled sheep carcases shall 
be lamb of less than one year old at slaughter with a carcase weight or 
estimated carcase weight of at least 12 kg and falling within the 
following classification standards; conformation classes (U, R, 0) and 
fat classes (2 and 3) as defined in Annexes I and II respectively. 
However, for lamb carcases in the weight range 12 - 13.0 kg, where 
Member States have been authorized to use the classification criteria 
laid down in the second sentence of Article 3(2), the classification 
standards shall be meat colour (clear pink, other colour) and fat 
level (2 and 3) as defined in Annexes II and III. 
2. Member States, where first marketings on live markets represent at 
least 20% of total transactions between producers and operators, may be 
authorised to report prices for live animals on the representative 
markets. Provisions specifying the definition of live animal 
equivalents of carcases of animals of standard quality shall be adopted 
in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 30 of Regulation 
(EEC) No 3019/89 before 31 October 1992. 
Art icle 8 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following that of 
its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. 
It shall apply from the 1993 marketing year. 
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This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in 
a I I Member States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
The President 
ANNEX 1 
Development of carcase profiles, in particular the essential parts (hindquarter, back, shoulder) 
Conformation class | 
E 
excellent 
U 
very good 
R 
good 
0 
fair 
P 
poor Description 
All profiles convex to superconvex; exceptional muscle development 
Profiles on the Trôiole convex; very good muscle development 
Profiles on the Tflhole straight; good muscle development 
Profiles straight to concave; average muscle development 
Profiles concave to very concave; poor muscle development o 
i 
ANNEX II 
DBGREE OF FAT (PVER 
Anount of fat on the outside of the carcase and in the thoracic cavity 
Class of fat cover Description 
1 None up to low fat cover 
low 
2 Slight fat cover, flesh visible almost everywhere 
slight 
3 Flesh, with exception of the hindquarter and shoulder, almost everywhere 
average covered with fat, slight deposits of fat in the thoracic cavity 
4 Flesh covered with fat, but on the hindquarter and shoulder still partly 
high visible, some distinctive fat deposits in the thoracic cavity 
5 Carcase thickly covered with fat; heavy fat deposits in the thoracic cavity 
very high 
Meat Colour 
Fat class (*) ANNEX III 
Carcase classification grid under Article 3(2) second sentence 
CA3H3CKY 
TOight 
Quality • 
• 
• A 
< 7 kg 
1st ! * 
• 
2nd : B 
7.1- 10 kg 
1st ! 2nd -
: 10.1 
1st C 
- 13 kg 
! 2nd : 
• 
: 
• 
clear ! other 
pink ! colour or 
; other 
(2) (3) Jfat level S other 
! colour or 
; other 
(2) (3) Ifat level clear 
pink S other 
! colour or 
! other 
(2) (3) !fat level clear 
pink 
(*) As defined in Annex II. 
no 
i 
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
DATE: 31.1.1992 
1. BUDGET HEADING: Article 222 APPROPRIATIONS: ECU 1 778 MILLION 
2. TITLE: 
Proposal for a Regulation establishing the classification scale for the carcases of sheep and the 
standard quality for fresh or chiI led carcases 
3. LEGAL BASIS: 
Article 4 of Regulation (EEC) No 3013/89 
4. AIMS OF PROJECT: 
To implement a classification scale with effect frcm the 1993 marketing year to establish the market 
price of fresh or chi I led sheep carcases, in view of the fact that Regulation (EEC) No 338/91 
determining the standard qua I ity of sheep carcases expires at the end of the 1992 marketing year 
5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
5.0 EXPENDITURE 
- CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET 
- (REFUNDS/INTERVENTION) 
- NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION 
- OTHER 
5.1 REVENUE 
- OWN RESOURCES OF THE EC 
(LEVIES/CUSTOMS DUTIES) 
-NATIONAL Period of 12 months 
p.m. Current Financial Year 
1992 Following Financial Year 
1993 
p.m. 
1994 
5.0.1 ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 
5.1.1 ESTIMATED REVENUE p.m. 1995 
p.m. 1996 
p.m. 1997 
p.m. 
5.2 k/ETHOD OF CALCULATION: 
6.0 CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FRCM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE RELEVANT CHAPTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? 
6.1 CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED BY TRANSFER BETWEEN CHAPTERS OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? 
6.2 IS A SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET NECESSARY? 
6.3 WILL FUTURE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS BE NECESSARY? 
OBSERVATIONS: 

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Catalogue number : CB-CO-92-079-EN-C 
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