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
Date: 1992-03-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: carcase, fresh meat, marketing standard, refrigerated product, sheep

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

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C0M(92) 65 final 

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) 

-  2 -

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 

-  3 -

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. 

4 -

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. 

-  5  -

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. 

- 6 -

(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. 

- 7 -

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. 

- 8 -

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. 

-  9  -

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 

| 

Description 

E 
excellent 

U 
very good 

R 
good 

0 
fair 

P 
poor 

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 

o 
i 

Profiles concave  to very concave;  poor muscle development 

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 
low 

2 
slight 

3 
average 

4 
high 

5 
very high 

None up to low fat cover 

Slight fat cover, flesh visible almost everywhere 

Flesh, with exception of the hindquarter and shoulder, almost everywhere 
covered with fat, slight deposits of fat in the thoracic cavity 

Flesh covered with fat, but on the hindquarter  and shoulder  still partly 
visible, some distinctive fat deposits  in the thoracic cavity 

Carcase  thickly covered with fat;  heavy fat deposits  in the thoracic cavity 

Carcase classification grid under Article 3(2) second  sentence 

ANNEX  III 

CA3H3CKY 

TOight 

Quality 

Meat Colour 

• 

• 

• 

A 

<  7  kg 

1st 

! 

2nd 

* 

• 

: 

B 

C 

7 . 1-  10  kg 

1st 

! 

2nd 

-

: 

10.1 

- 

13  kg 

1st 

! 

2nd 

: 

• 

: 

• 

clear  ! other 
pink 

! colour or 
; other 

clear 
pink 

S  other 
! colour or 
;  other 

clear 
pink 

S  other 
! colour or 
!  other 

Fat  class  (*) 

(2)  (3) Jfat level 

(2) (3) Ifat level 

(2)  (3) !fat level 

(*) As defined  in Annex II. 

no 
i 

FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 

-  13 -

1. BUDGET HEADING: Article 222 

APPROPRIATIONS: ECU 1 778 MILLION 

DATE: 31.1.1992 

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 

5.0.1 ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 
5.1.1 ESTIMATED REVENUE 

5.2 k/ETHOD OF CALCULATION: 

Period of  12 months 

Current Financial Year 
1992 

Following Financial Year 
1993 

p.m. 

p.m. 

1994 

p.m. 

1995 

p.m. 

1996 

p.m. 

1997 

p.m. 

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: 

ISSN 0254-1475 

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