Commission Regulation (EC) No 562/2000 of 15 March 2000 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 as regards the buying-in of beef
Date: 2000-03-15
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, award of contract, beef, intervention buying

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COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 562/2000

of 15 March 2000

laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 as regards
the buying-in of beef

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

sions setting out detailed rules of application specific to
those arrangements must be laid down.

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 of 17
May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in beef
and veal (1), and in particular Article 27(4), Article 41 and
Article 47(8) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

From 1 July 2002, after a transitional period during
which the previous buying-in arrangements are to
continue to apply, Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 intro-
duces a single buying-in scheme to replace the buying-in
arrangements provided for in Council Regulation (EEC)
No 805/68 (2), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No
1633/98 (3). In view of that new scheme, Commission
Regulation (EEC) No 2456/93 of 1 September 1993
laying down detailed rules for the application of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 as regards the general and
last
special
amended by Regulation (EC) No 2304/98 (5), must be
amended. On the occasion of that amendment, for the
sake of clarity, that Regulation should be recast. To
ensure a smooth switchover to the new Regulation, the
provisions now in force should be maintained until the
second invitation to tender of March 2000. Commission
Regulation (EEC) No 1627/89 of 9 June 1989 on the
buying-in of beef by invitation to tender (6), as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 34/2000 (7), should also
be repealed with effect from 1 July 2002.

intervention measures

for beef (4),

as

(4)

(5)

(6)

(2)

Furthermore, certain rules of application should be
supplemented or spelt out more clearly to take account
of experience gained and specific problems encountered
previously in the way public intervention operated. Such
essentially technical rules relate in particular to the
presentation, take-over,
inspection and storage of the
products bought in.

(3)

Since Article 47 of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999
provides for the current buying-in arrangements to
continue to apply until 30 June 2002, transitional provi-

(7)

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 21.
(2) OJ L 148, 28.6.1968, p. 24.
(3) OJ L 210, 28.7.1998, p. 17.
(4) OJ L 225, 4.9.1993, p. 4.
(5) OJ L 288, 27.10.1998, p. 3.
(6) OJ L 159, 10.6.1989, p. 36.
(7) OJ L 5, 8.1.2000, p. 34.

Article 27(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 ties the
opening of public intervention to the average market
price in a Member State or region of a Member State.
Rules must accordingly be laid down for calculating the
in particular as
market prices in the Member States,
regards the qualities to be used and weighting, the coeffi-
cients to be used for converting them into the reference
quality grade R3 and the mechanisms for opening and
closing buying-in.

The conditions for eligibility must rule out products that
are not representative of national production of
the
Member State and that do not meet the health and
veterinary rules in force and those over a weight
normally sought after on the market. The eligibility of
beef carcases of grade O3, which can be bought in in
Ireland, should also be extended to Northern Ireland in
order to prevent deflections of trade that might disturb
the beef market in that part of the Community.

Specific rules on identifying eligible carcases should be
laid down requiring the slaughter number to be stamped
on the inner side of each quarter. As regards presenta-
tion, carcases should be cut in a uniform manner to
facilitate the disposal of the cuts, improve monitoring of
boning operations and as a result ensure that the cuts
meet the same definition throughout the Community.
To that end, carcases should be straight cut and fore-
quarters and hindquarters should be defined as five-rib
and eight-rib respectively in order to reduce to the
minimum the number of boneless cuts and trimmings
and to make the best use of the products obtained.

In order to prevent speculation that could distort the
true market situation, interested parties should each be
able to submit only one tender per category in response
to each invitation to tender. In order to prevent the use
of frontmen,
‘interested parties’ should be defined as
including only the category of operators who are tradi-
tionally involved in intervention by virtue of
their
economic activities.

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(8)

tender
In view of experience gained in the area of
submission, provision should also be made for interested
parties to take part
in invitations to tender, where
appropriate, on the basis of contracts concluded with
the intervention agencies in accordance with conditions
to be stipulated in the specifications.

(9)

More precise rules should be laid down on the lodging
of securities in cash so that intervention agencies can
accept cheque guarantees.

(10)

Following the ban on the use of any specified risk
material and in order to take into account the resulting
increase in costs and fall in income in the beef and veal
sector, the increase applicable to the average market
price and used to determine the maximum buying-in
price should be aligned as from 1 July 2002 on the
highest amount at the time.

(11) As far as the delivery of the products is concerned, in
the light of experience the intervention agencies should
be authorised, where applicable, to reduce the time limit
for delivery of the products in order to prevent deliveries
relating to two successive invitations to tender from
overlapping.

(12)

irregularities are particularly high when
The risks of
carcases bought in are boned systematically. Intervention
centres' refrigeration and cutting plants should therefore
be required to be independent of the slaughterhouses
and the successful tenderers concerned. To deal with any
practical difficulties that may arise in certain Member
States, derogations from that principle may be allowed,
provided that the quantities boned are strictly limited
and the checks conducted on take-over enable the boned
meat to be traced and manipulations to be ruled out as
far as possible. In the light of the latest investigations,
greater emphasis must be laid on checks of residues of
prohibited substances in meat, and in particular those
substances having a hormonal action.

(13) Only products meeting the quality and presentation
requirements laid down by Community regulations may
be taken over by intervention agencies. Experience
shows that certain detailed rules should be laid down on
take-over and checks. Provision should be made in
particular for a preliminary inspection to be carried out
at the slaughterhouse to eliminate ineligible meat at an
early stage. In order to improve the reliability of the
procedure for the acceptance of products delivered, qual-
ified officials whose impartiality is guaranteed by their
independence from the interested parties concerned and
by their periodic rotation should be employed. The

points to be covered by inspections should also be speci-
fied.

(14) With a view to improving checks by intervention agen-
cies on take-over of the products, the provisions on the
procedure applied,
in particular, for defining consign-
ments, for preliminary inspections and for checking the
weight of
in should be made
clearer. To that end, the provisions on the monitoring of
boning of meat bought in and the rejection of products
should be stricter. This also applies to inspections of
products during storage.

the products bought

(15)

(16)

(17)

(18)

The provisions applicable to carcases must stipulate in
particular the way they are to be hung and specify any
the commercial
damage or handling liable to affect
quality of the products or to contaminate them that is to
be avoided during processing.

The freezing procedure has a direct effect on the quality
and preservation of stored meat. Bone-in meat should
accordingly be blastfrozen in the unwrapped state
immediately after
and should not be
wrapped until

acceptance
immediately thereafter.

In order to ensure that boning is carried out properly,
cutting plants should have one or more blast freezers
nearby. Derogations from this requirement should be
keep to an absolute minimum. The conditions governing
the constant and continuous physical monitoring of
boning should be stipulated, in particular by requiring
to be independent and laying down a
inspectors
minimum number of checks to be conducted.

The rules on the storage of cuts must enable them to be
identified easily. To that end, the competent national
authorities must in particular take the necessary meas-
ures as regards traceability and storage with a view to
facilitating the subsequent disposal of products bought
in, by taking into account any requirements relating to
the veterinary health status of the animals from which
the products come. Furthermore, with a view to
improving storage of cuts and simplifying identification,
packing should be standardised and cuts should be
designated by their full names or Community codes.

(19)

The provisions on packing in cartons, pallets and cages
should be tightened up to facilitate the identification and
improve the preservation of products in storage, to step
up the fight against fraud and to improve access to
products with a view to their inspection and disposal.

(20)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for Beef and Veal,

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HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Scope

This Regulation lays down detailed rules for the buying-in of
beef as provided for in Articles 27 and 47 of Regulation (EC)
No 1254/1999.

CHAPTER I

BUYING-IN

S e c t i o n 1

General rules

Article 2

Intervention regions in the United Kingdom

(c) decisions to close buying-in shall be made by category and
Member State or region thereof on the basis of the most
recent weekly market prices recorded.

Article 4

Conditions for the eligibility of products

1. The products listed in Annex II and falling within the
following categories defined in Article 3(1) of Council Regula-
tion (EEC) No 1208/81 (2) may be bought in:

(a) meat of uncastrated young male animals of less than two

years of age (category A);

(b) meat of castrated male animals (category C).

2. Carcases and half carcases may be bought in only where
they:

(a) have obtained the health mark referred to in Chapter XI of

Annex I to Council Directive 64/433/EEC (3);

(b) have no characteristics rendering them unfit for storage or

The United Kingdom shall consist of two intervention regions
as follows:

subsequent use;

— region I: Great Britain,

— region II: Northern Ireland.

Article 3

Opening and closure of buying-in by invitation to tender

Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 shall apply in
accordance with the following rules:

(a) with a view to ascertaining that the conditions laid down in

paragraph 1 of that Article are fulfilled:

— the average market price by eligible category in a
Member State or in a region thereof shall take account
of the prices for qualities U, R and O, expressed in
quality R3 using the coefficients set out in Annex I, in
the Member State or region concerned,

— the average market prices shall be recorded in accord-
ance with the conditions and in respect of the qualities
laid down in Commission Regulation. (EEC) No 295/
96 (1),

— the average market price by eligible category in a
Member State or a region thereof shall be the average of
the market prices for all the qualities referred to in the
second indent, weighted by the proportion each repre-
sents of total slaughterings in that Member State or
region;

(b) decisions to open buying-in shall be made by category and
Member State or region thereof on the basis of the two
most recent weekly market prices recorded;

(1) OJ L 39, 17.2.1996, p. 1.

(c) do not come from animals slaughtered as a result of emer-

gency measures;

(d) originate in the Community within the meaning of Article
39 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 (4);

(e) are derived from animals raised in accordance with the

prevailing veterinary requirements;

(f) do not exceed the maximum radioactivity levels permitted
under Community regulations. The level of radioactive
contamination of the product shall be monitored only if
the situation so requires and only for as long as is neces-
sary. The duration and scope of any controls necessary
shall be determined in accordance with the procedure laid
down in Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999;

(g) come from carcases not weighing more than 340 kg.

3. Carcases and half carcases may be bought in only where
they are:

(a) presented, where appropriate after cutting into quarters at
the expense of the party concerned,
in accordance with
Annex III; all parts of the carcase must be inspected to
assess compliance with the requirements of point 2 of that
Annex; failure to comply with any of those requirements
shall result in rejection; where a quarter is rejected for
failure to comply with such conditions of presentation and
in particular where unsatisfactory presentation cannot be
the other
improved during the acceptance procedure,
quarter of the same half carcase shall also be rejected;

(2) OJ L 123, 7.5.1981, p. 3.
(3) OJ 121, 29.7.1964, p. 2012/64.
(4) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1.

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(b) classified in accordance with the Community scale provided
for in Regulation (EEC) No 1208/81; the intervention agen-
cies shall reject any products which they do not deem to be
classified in conformity with that scale after conducting a
detailed inspection of all parts of the carcase;

(c) identified, first, by markings indicating the category, the
conformation class and the degree of
fat cover and,
secondly, by an identification or slaughter number. Mark-
ings indicating the category, conformation class and fat
cover must be perfectly legible and shall be stamped using
non-toxic, fast, indelible ink in accordance with a proce-
dure approved by the competent national authorities; the
letters and figures must be at least 2 cm high. The mark-
ings shall be applied to the striploin at the level of the
fourth lumbar vertebra on hindquarters and approximately
10 to 30 cm from the cut edge of the sternum on fore-
quarters. The identification or slaughter number shall be
marked in the middle of the inner side of each quarter
using a stamp or indelible marker authorised by the inter-
vention agency.

Article 5

Intervention centres

1. The intervention centres shall be selected by the Member
States with a view to ensuring the effectiveness of intervention
measures.

The facilities at these centres must permit:

(a) bone-in meat to be taken over;

(b) freezing of all meat

to be preserved without

further

processing;

(c) storage of such meat for at least three months under tech-

nically satisfactory conditions.

2. Only intervention centres whose cutting plants and refrig-
eration plants are unconnected with the slaughterhouse and/or
the successful tenderer and which are operated, managed and
staffed independently of the latter may be selected for bone-in
meat intended for boning.

In case of practical difficulties, Member States may derogate
from the first subparagraph, provided that they tighten controls
at the time of acceptance in accordance with Article 17(5); in
that event, the intervention agencies shall, without prejudice to
the veterinary requirements, be authorised to carry out boning
of all or part of the beef bought in where the quantity bought
in per week does not exceed 1 000 tonnes per week, and of up
to 50 % of any quantity bought in per week in excess of that
amount.

Article 6

Blastfreezing of bone-in beef

1. Member States shall take all measures necessary to ensure
the satisfactory preservation of the bone-in quarters stored and
temperature shall be
to limit weight

losses. The internal

reduced to or below –7 °C within 36 hours during blast-
freezing.

2. With a view to freezing, bone-in quarters must be hung in
blast freezers immediately after acceptance.

Article 7

Wrapping of bone-in beef

Immediately after blast freezing, bone-in meat shall be wrapped
in polyethylene or polypropylene at least 0,05 mm thick, suit-
able for wrapping foodstuffs, and in stockinettes made of
cotton or a sufficiently resistant synthetic material, in such a
way that the meat (including the shank) is entirely covered by
such wrappings.

Article 8

Storage of bone-in beef

1. The intervention agencies shall ensure that forequarters
and hindquarters bought in are stored separately and are easily
identifiable by invitation to tender and by month of storage.

2. The intervention agencies shall be authorised to store sepa-
rately bone-in forequarters deemed to be of a quality and
presentation suitable for industrial purposes.

In such cases, the quarters stored shall be easily identifiable and
separate records shall be kept for them.

S e c t i o n 2

Tendering and take-over

Article 9

Opening and closure of invitations to tender

1. Notices of invitation to tender, amendments thereto and
closure thereof shall be published in the Official Journal of the
European Communities no later than the Saturday before the
closing date for the submission of tenders.

2. When invitations to tender are issued, a minimum price
below which tenders shall not be admissible may be fixed.

Article 10

Submission and notification of tenders

During the period covered by the invitation to tender, the
deadline for the submission of tenders shall be 12 noon (Brus-
sels time) on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month,
with the exception of the second Tuesday of August and the
fourth Tuesday of December where no submission of tenders
shall take place. If the Tuesday falls on a public holiday, the
deadline shall be brought forward by 24 hours. Within 24
hours of the deadline for the submission of tenders, the inter-
vention agencies shall notify the Commission of the tenders
they have received.

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Article 11

7. Tenders shall be confidential.

Conditions to be met for tendering

1. Only the following may submit tenders:

(a) slaughterhouses for bovine animals approved in accordance
with Article 3(1)(A)(a) of Directive 64/433/EEC, whatever
their legal status; and

(b) livestock or meat traders who have slaughtering undertaken
therein on their own account and who are entered in a
national VAT register.

their

tenders to the intervention agencies of

In response to invitations to tender, interested parties shall
2.
submit
the
Member States where they have been issued, either by lodging
a written bid against a receipt or by any other written means of
communication accepted by the intervention agency, with
advice of receipt.

Article 12

Securities

1. The maintenance of
tenders after the deadline for the
submission of tenders and the delivery of the products to the
store designated by the intervention agency within the time-
laid down in Article 16(2) shall constitute primary
limit
requirements, the fulfilment of which shall be ensured by the
lodging of a security of EUR 30 per 100 kg.

Securities shall be lodged with the intervention agency in the
Member State in which the tender is submitted.

2.
Securities shall be lodged only in the form of cash deposits
as defined in Article 13 and Article 14(1) and (3) of Commis-
sion Regulation (EEC) No 2220/85 (1).

The submission of tenders may be the subject of contracts on
terms laid down by the intervention agencies and in accord-
ance with their specifications.

3.
In the case of tenders which are not accepted, securities
shall be released as soon as the outcome of the invitation to
tender is published.

Interested parties may submit only one tender per category

3.
in response to each invitation to tender.

The Member States shall ensure that tenderers are independent
of each other in the terms of their management, staffing and
operations.

Where there are serious indications to the contrary or that
tenders are not in line with economic facts, tenders shall be
deemed admissible only where the tenderer presents suitable
evidence of compliance with the second subparagraph.

Where it is established that a tenderer has submitted more than
one tender, all the tenders from that tenderer shall be deemed
inadmissible.

In the case of tenders which are accepted, securities shall be
released on completion of take-over of the products, without
prejudice to Article 17(7).

Article 13

Award

In the light of the tenders received in response to each
1.
invitation to tender and in accordance with the procedure laid
down in Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999, a
maximum buying-in price relating to quality R3 shall be fixed
per category; where the particular circumstances so require, a
different price may be set by Member State or region thereof to
reflect the average market prices recorded.

4. Tenders shall state:

2. A decision may be taken to make no award.

(a) the name and address of the tenderer;

(b) the quantity tendered, expressed in tonnes, of the products
of the categories specified in the notice of invitation to
tender;

(c) the price quoted in accordance with Article 18(3),
expressed per 100 kg of products of quality R3 in euro
rounded off to not more than two decimal places.

5. Tenders shall be valid only if:

(a) they relate to at least 10 tonnes;

(b) they are accompanied by a written undertaking from the
tenderer to comply with all the provisions relating to the
invitation to tender concerned; and

(c) proof is furnished that by the closing date for the submis-
sion of tenders the tenderer has lodged a tendering security
as provided for in Article 12 in respect of the invitation to
tender concerned.

3.
If the total quantities offered at a price equal to or below
the maximum price exceed the quantities to be bought in, the
quantities awarded may be reduced for each category by
applying reducing coefficients, to fall by an amount increasing
progressively with the price differential and the quantities
covered by the tenders.

Where the particular circumstances so require, such reducing
coefficients may vary by Member State or region thereof with a
view to ensuring that the intervention mechanisms function
properly.

Article 14

Maximum buying-in price

1. Tenders shall not be considered if the price quoted is
higher than the average market price recorded by category in
each Member State or region thereof, converted into quality R3
using the coefficients set out in Annex I, plus EUR 10 per
100 kg carcase weight.

6. Tenders may not be withdrawn after the expiry of the
deadline for submission specified in Article 10.

(1) OJ L 205, 3.8.1985, p. 5.

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2. Without prejudice to paragraph 1, tenders shall be rejected
if
the price quoted is higher than the maximum price as
referred to in Article 13 for the invitation to tender concerned.

3. Where the buying-in price awarded to tenderers is higher
than the average market price as referred to in paragraph 1, the
price awarded shall be adjusted by multiplying it by the coeffi-
cient obtained by applying formula A in Annex IV. However,
that coefficient may not:

(a) be greater than 1;

(b) result in a reduction in the price awarded that is greater
than the difference between that price and the average
market price.

Should the Member State possess reliable data and have suit-
able means of verification, it may decide to calculate the coeffi-
cient for each tenderer using formula B in Annex IV.

4. Rights and obligations arising under invitations to tender
shall not be transferable.

Article 15

Limitation of buying-in

Where the intervention agencies of the Member States are
offered meat in quantities greater than they are able to take
over forthwith, they may limit buying-in to the quantities they
can take over in their territory or in one of their intervention
regions.

The Member States shall ensure equality of access for all parties
concerned in the event of such limitation.

Article 16

Notification of successful tenderers and delivery

1. The intervention agencies shall
tenderers immediately of the outcome of their tenders.

inform the individual

Intervention agencies shall
forthwith to the successful tenderers, stating:

issue numbered delivery orders

(a) the quantity to be delivered;

(b) the price at which the award is made;

(c) the timetable for delivery of the products;

(d) the intervention centre or centres where delivery is to be

made.

2.
Successful tenderers shall deliver the products not later
than 17 calendar days after the first working day following
publication of the regulation fixing the maximum buying-in
price and the quantities of beef to be bought in.

However, the Commission may, depending on the quantities
awarded, extend that period by one week. Deliveries may be
split up into more than one consignment. In addition, interven-
tion agencies may, when setting the timetable for deliveries of
the products, reduce that period to not less than 14 calendar
days.

Article 17

Take-over

1. The intervention agencies shall take over:

(a) bone-in meat

intended for

further
processing or for partial boning either at the entrance
weighing point of the intervention centre's cold store or at
the entrance weighing point of the intervention centre's
cutting plant;

storage without

(b) bone-in meat intended for boning at the entrance weighing

point at the intervention centre's cutting plant.

Products shall be delivered in consignments of a quantity
between 10 and 20 tonnes. However, the quantity may be
below 10 tonnes only if it is the final balance of the original
offer or if the original offer has been scaled back below 10
tonnes.

Products delivered shall be accepted and taken over subject to
verification by the intervention agency that they comply with
the requirements laid down in this Regulation. Compliance
with the requirements laid down in Article 4(2)(e) and in
particular the absence of substances prohibited under Article 3
and Article 4(1) of Council Directive 96/22/EC (1) shall be
verified by analysis of a sample, the size and sampling of which
is laid down in the relevant veterinary legislation.

2. Where no preliminary inspection is conducted imme-
diately before loading at the slaughterhouse loading bay and
prior to transport to the intervention centre, half carcases shall
be identified as follows:

(a) where they are simply marked, the markings must comply
with Article 4(3)(c), and a document specifying the identifi-
cation or slaughter number and the slaughter date relating
to the half carcase shall be completed;

(b) where they are labelled in addition, the labels must comply
with Article 1(2), (3) and (4) of Commission Regulation
(EEC) No 344/91 (2).

Where half-carcases are cut into quarters, the quartering shall
be carried out in accordance with Annex III. With a view to
acceptance, quarters shall be grouped by carcase or half carcase
at the time of take-over. Where half carcases are not cut into
quarters prior to transport to the intervention centre, they shall
be cut in accordance with Annex III on their arrival.

(1) OJ L 125, 23.5.1996, p. 3.
(2) OJ L 41, 14.2.1991, p. 15.

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At the point of acceptance, each quarter shall be identified by a
label complying with Article 1(2), (3) and (4) of Regulation
(EEC) No 344/91. The labels shall also show the weight of the
quarter and the contract number; the labels shall be affixed
directly to shin/shank tendons on the forequarters and hind-
quarters or neckstrap tendon on the forequarter and hind-
quarter flank without using metal or plastic ties.

Without prejudice to Article 24(2), the labels must remain
attached to the quarters throughout the whole storage period.
As far as possible, any labels attached previously shall be
removed.

The acceptance procedure shall entail a systematic check of the
presentation, classification, weight and labelling of each quarter
delivered. The temperature of one hindquarter of each carcase
shall also be checked. In particular no carcase shall be accepted
where it exceeds the maximum weight laid down in Article
4(2)(g).

3. A preliminary inspection may be conducted immediately
before loading at the slaughterhouse loading bay and shall
cover the weight, classification, presentation and temperature
of half carcases.
In particular no carcase shall be accepted
where it exceeds the maximum weight laid down in Article
4(2)(g). Products rejected shall be marked as such and may not
be presented again for preliminary inspection or acceptance.

Such inspections shall cover consignments of up to 20 tonnes
of half carcases as laid down by the intervention agency. Where
more than 20 % of the total number of half carcases in any
consignment inspected is rejected, the whole consignment shall
be rejected in accordance with paragraph 6.

Before half carcases are transported to the intervention centre,
they shall be cut into quarters in accordance with Annex III.
Each quarter shall be systematically weighed and identified by a
label complying with Article 1(2), (3) and (4) of Regulation
(EEC) No 344/91. The labels shall also show the weight of the
quarter and the contract number; the labels shall be affixed
directly to shin/shank tendons on the forequarters and hind-
quarters or neckstrap tendon on the forequarter and hind-
quarter flank without using metal or plastic ties.

Without prejudice to Article 24(2), the labels must remain
attached to the quarters throughout the whole storage period.
As far as possible, any labels attached previously shall be
removed.

The quarters from each carcase shall then be grouped for the
purposes of
the acceptance procedure by carcase or half
carcase at the time of take-over.

ment up to the point of acceptance. The checklist shall be
handed over to the accepting officer.

A seal shall be affixed to the means of transport before it leaves
the slaughterhouse; the number of the seal shall be shown on
the health certificate or checklist.

The acceptance procedure shall include checks of the presenta-
tion, classification, weight,
labelling and temperature of the
quarters delivered.

Preliminary inspection and acceptance of

the products
4.
offered for intervention shall be carried out by an official of the
intervention agency or a person authorised by the latter who is
a qualified classifier,
is not involved in classification at the
slaughterhouse and is totally independent of the successful
tenderer. Such independence shall be ensured in particular by
the periodic rotation of such officials between intervention
centres.

At the time of take-over, the total weight of the quarters in
each consignment shall be recorded and the record kept by the
intervention agency.

Where the weight of meat to be stored bone-in differs to such
an extent from that indicated on the checklist that the accuracy
of the weight on the checklist is called into question, the
weight of each quarter shall be checked systematically and, if
necessary, a new label giving the actual weight accepted and
any other
information required shall be affixed by the
accepting officer. As far as possible, any labels affixed previ-
ously shall be removed.

A document recording full details of
number of
rejected must be completed by the accepting officer.

the weight and the
the products presented and either accepted or

5. The requirements regarding identification, delivery and
controls for the take-over of bone-in meat intended for boning
in intervention centres which do not meet the requirements
laid down in the first subparagraph of Article 5(2) shall include
the following:

(a) at the time of take-over as referred to in paragraph 1,
forequarters and hindquarters for boning must be identified
by the letters ‘INT’ marked on both inner and outer sides in
accordance with the same rules as those laid down in
Article 4(3)(c) for marking the category and the slaughter
number and the places where such markings are to be
made; however, the letters ‘INT’ shall be marked on the
inner side of each quarter at the level of the third or fourth
rib of forequarters and of the seventh or eighth rib of
hindquarters;

(b) the codfat must remain attached up to the time of take-

over and must be removed before weighing;

A checklist giving all details of the half-carcases or quarters,
including the number of half-carcases or quarters presented
and either accepted or rejected, shall accompany each consign-

(c) the products delivered shall be sorted into consignments as

defined under paragraph 1.

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Where carcases or quarters marked ‘INT’ are found outside the
areas reserved for them, the Member State shall conduct an
enquiry, take suitable measures and inform the Commission
thereof.

6. Where more than 20 % of a consignment presented is
rejected,
in terms of number of half carcases or quarters
presented, the whole consignment shall be rejected and all the
products shall be marked as such and may not be presented
again for preliminary inspection or acceptance.

If the quantity actually delivered and accepted is less than

7.
the quantity awarded, the security shall:

(a) be released in full where the difference is not more than

5 % or 175 kg;

(b) except in cases of force majeure, be forfeited:

— in part, corresponding to the quantities not delivered or
not accepted where the difference is not more than
15 %,

— in full in other cases, pursuant to Article 1 of Regula-

tion (EEC) No 2220/85.

Article 18

Price to be paid to successful tenderers

1.
From the 45th day after completion of take-over of the
products to the 65th day thereafter, the intervention agency
shall pay successful tenderers the price quoted in their tenders.

2. Only the quantity actually delivered and accepted shall be
the quantity actually delivered and
paid for. However,
accepted is greater than the quantity awarded, only the quantity
awarded shall be paid for.

if

3. Where qualities other than quality R3 are taken over, the
price to be paid to successful tenderers shall be adjusted by
applying the coefficient for the quality bought in as set out in
Annex I.

4. The buying-in price for bone-in meat shall be the price free
at the entrance weighing point of the intervention centre's cold
store. The buying-in price for meat all of which is intended for
boning shall be the price free at the entrance weighing point of
the intervention centre's cutting plant.

The costs of unloading shall be borne by the successful
tenderer.

Article 19

Exchange rate

ities of beef to be bought in under the invitation to tender
concerned.

CHAPTER II

BONING OF MEAT BOUGHT IN BY INTERVENTION AGENCIES

Article 20

Authorisation for boning

The intervention agencies shall be authorised to bone all or
part of the meat bought in.

Article 21

General conditions governing boning

1. Boning may only be carried out in cutting plants approved
in accordance with Article 3(1)(B)(a) of Directive 64/433/EEC
and with one or more adjoining blast freezers.

At the request of a Member State, the Commission may grant a
derogation for a limited period from the obligations covered by
the first subparagraph; when making its decision, the Commis-
sion shall take account of current developments in plant and
equipment, health and control requirements and the objective
of gradual harmonisation in this field.

2. Boned cuts must meet
the conditions laid down in
Directive 64/433/EEC and the requirements in Annex V to this
Regulation.

3. Boning may not commence before take-over of
consignment concerned has been completed.

the

4. No other meat may be present in the cutting room when
intervention beef is being boned, trimmed or packed.

However, pigmeat may be present in the cutting room at the
same time as beef, provided that it is processed on a separate
production line.

5. All boning activities shall take place between 7 a.m. and
6 p.m.; boning shall not take place on Saturdays, Sundays or
public holidays. Those hours may be extended by up to two
hours, provided that the inspection authorities are present.

If boning cannot be completed on the day of take-over, seals
shall be affixed by the competent authorities to the refrigera-
tion rooms where the products are stored and may only be
broken by the same authorities when boning resumes.

Article 22

Contracts and specifications

The rate to be applied to the amount referred to in Article 14
and the price at which the award was made shall be the
exchange rate applicable on the day of entry into force of the
regulation fixing the maximum buying-in price and the quant-

1. Boning shall be carried out under contract on terms laid
down by the intervention agencies and in accordance with their
specifications.

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lay
2. The specifications of the intervention agencies shall
down the requirements to be met by cutting plants, shall
specify the plant and equipment required and shall ensure that
the Community rules on the preparation of cuts are adhered to.

confined to the removal of fat, cartilage, tendons, joint capsules
and other specified trim. All obvious nervous and lymphatic
tissues must be removed.

They shall in particular lay down detailed conditions covering
boning,
trimming,
specifying the method of preparation,
packing, freezing and preservation of cuts with a view to their
take-over by the intervention agency.

The specifications of the intervention agencies may be obtained
from the addresses in Annex VI.

Article 23

Monitoring of boning

1. The intervention agencies shall ensure that continuous
physical monitoring is carried out of all boning operations.

Such monitoring may be delegated to bodies which are wholly
independent of the traders, slaughterers and storeys in ques-
tion. In such cases, the intervention agencies shall ensure that
their officials conduct an unannounced inspection of boning of
meat covered by each bid. During such inspections, random
checks shall be carried out of cartons of cuts before and after
freezing and the quantities used shall be compared with the
quantities produced on the one hand and with the bones, fat
and trimmings on the other hand. Such checks shall cover at
least 5 % of cartons filled during the day with a particular cut
and, where there are sufficient cartons, a minimum of five
cartons per cut.

Forequarters and hindquarters must be boned separately.

2.
In respect of each day of boning:

(a) a comparison shall be made of the numbers of cuts and of

cartons filled;

(b) a form shall be completed showing separately the yields for

boning of forequarters and of hindquarters.

Large blood vessels and clots and soiled areas must be

4.
removed carefully with as little trimming as possible.

Article 25

Packing of cuts

1. Cuts shall be packed immediately after boning in such a
way that no part of the meat comes into direct contact with
the carton, in accordance with the requirements laid down in
Annex V.

2.
Polyethylene used to line cartons and polyethylene sheet or
bags used to wrap cuts must be at least 0,05 mm thick and
suitable for wrapping foodstuffs.

3. Cartons, pallets and cages used must meet the conditions
laid down in Annex VII.

Article 26

Storage of cuts

The intervention agencies shall ensure that all boneless beef
bought in is stored separately and is easily identifiable by
invitation to tender, cut and month of storage.

Cuts obtained shall be stored in cold stores located in the
territory of the Member State exercising jurisdiction over the
intervention agency.

Save for specific derogations provided for under the procedure
laid down in Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999,
such cold stores must be capable of holding all boned beef
allocated by the intervention agency for at least three months
under technically satisfactory conditions.

Article 24

Special conditions governing boning

Article 27

Costs of boning

1. During boning, trimming and packing prior to freezing,
the internal temperature of the beef must at no time rise above
+ 7 °C. Cuts may not be transported before they have been
blastfrozen, except under the derogations provided for in
Article 21(1).

2. All
immediately prior to boning.

labels and foreign matter must be totally removed

Contracts as referred to in Article 22(1) and payments made
thereunder shall cover the operations and costs resulting from
the application of this Regulation, and in particular:

(a) the costs of any transport of bone-in products to the

cutting plant after acceptance;

(b) boning, trimming, packing and blastfreezing;

tendons, cartilage, neckstrap and backstrap
3. All bones,
(paddy whack)
(ligamentum nuchae) and coarse connective
tissues must be cleanly removed. Trimming of cuts must be

(c) the storage, loading and carriage of frozen cuts and their
take-over by the intervention agencies at the cold stores
designated by them;

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(d) the costs of materials,

in particular for packaging;

(e) the value of any bones, fat and trimmings left at cutting

plants by the intervention agencies.

Article 28

Timelimits

Boning, trimming and packaging must be completed within 10
calendar days of slaughter. However, the Member States may
set shorter timelimits.

Blastfreezing shall be carried out immediately after packing,
commencing in any event on the same day; the quantity of
meat boned may not exceed the daily capacity of the blast
freezers.

The internal temperature of boned meat shall be reduced to or
below – 7 °C within 36 hours during blastfreezing.

Article 29

Rejection of products

1. Where the checks specified in Article 23(1) show breaches
by the boning plant of Articles 20 to 28 in respect of a
particular cut, those checks shall be extended to cover a further
5 % of the cartons filled during the day in question. Where
further breaches are discovered, additional samples amounting
to 5 % of the total number of cartons of the relevant cut shall
be checked. When, at the fourth 5 % check, at least 50 % of the
cartons are found to be in breach of those articles, the whole
day's production of
that cut shall be checked. However,
checking of the whole day's production shall not be required
once at least 20 % of the cartons of a particular cut has been
found to be in breach.

2. When, on the basis of paragraph 1, less than 20 % of the
cartons of a particular cut are found to be in breach, the entire
contents of those cartons shall be rejected and no payment
shall be made in respect of them; the boning plant shall pay
the intervention agency an amount equal to the price shown in
Annex VIII for the cuts that have been rejected.

If at least 20 % of the cartons of a particular cut are found to
be in breach, the whole day's production of that particular cut
shall be rejected by the intervention agency and no payment
shall be due; the boning plant shall pay the intervention agency
an amount equal to the price shown in Annex VIII for the cuts
that have been rejected.

If at least 20 % of the cartons of various cuts produced during
the day are found to be in breach, the whole day's production
shall be rejected by the intervention agency and no payment
shall be due; the boning plant shall pay the intervention agency
an amount equal to the price to be paid by the agency to the
successful tenderer in accordance with Article 18 for the orig-

inal bone-in products bought in and which, after boning, have
been rejected, that price being increased by 20 %.

Where the third subparagraph is applicable,
second subparagraphs shall not apply.

the first and

3. By way of derogation from paragraphs 1 and 2, where as a
result of serious negligence or fraud the boning plant fails to
comply with Articles 20 to 28:

— all products obtained after boning during the day for which
non-compliance with the above provisions is established
shall be rejected by the intervention agency and no
payment shall be due,

— the boning plant shall pay the intervention agency an
amount equal to the price to be paid by the agency to the
successful tenderer in accordance with Article 18 for the
original bone-in products bought
in and which, after
boning, have been rejected in accordance with the first
indent, that price being increased by 20 %.

CHAPTER III

CHECKS ON PRODUCTS AND NOTIFICATIONS.

Article 30

Storage of and checks on products

1. The intervention agencies shall ensure that meat covered
by this Regulation is so placed and kept in storage as to be
readily accessible and in conformity with the provisions of
Article 8(1) and Article 26, first paragraph.

2. The storage temperature may not rise above – 17 °C.

3. The Member States shall take all measures necessary to
ensure satisfactory preservation,
in terms of quality and
quantity, of the products stored and shall replace damaged
packaging immediately. They shall provide for cover against
the relevant risks by insurance in the form of either a contrac-
tual obligation on storers or comprehensive coverage of the
liability borne by the intervention agency; the Member States
may also act as their own insurers.

4. During storage, the competent authorities shall conduct
regular checks on significant quantities of the products stored
following awards under invitations to tender held during the
month.

During such checks, any products found not to be in compli-
ance with the requirements as laid down in this Regulation
shall be rejected and marked as such. Without prejudice to the
application of penalties, the competent authorities shall, if need
be, recover payments from the responsible parties.

Such checks shall be conducted by officials who do not receive
instructions from the department which buys in the meat.

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5. The competent authorities shall take the necessary meas-
ures as regards traceability and storage to enable the products
stored to be removed from storage and disposed of subse-
quently as efficiently as possible, having regard in particular to
any requirements relating to the veterinary health status of the
animals concerned.

CHAPTER IV

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Article 32

Period of application

Article 31

Notifications

1. The Member States shall notify the Commission without
delay of any change in the list of intervention centres and,
where possible, of their freezing and storage capacity.

2. Within 10 calendar days of completion of each take-over
period, the Member States shall notify the Commission by telex
or fax of the quantities delivered and accepted into interven-
tion.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply until 30 June 2002
to buying-in by invitation to tender as referred to in Article 47
of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999.

Article 33

Opening and suspension of buying-in by invitation to
tender

In order to ascertain that the conditions laid down in
1.
Article 47(3) to (7) of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 for the
various qualities or groups of qualities are fulfilled, the average
market prices shall be recorded in accordance with the condi-
tions laid down in Regulation (EC) No 295/96.

3. By the 21st day of each month at the latest, the Member
States shall notify the Commission in respect of the preceding
month of:

2. Where a group of qualities is concerned,
the average
Community market price shall be calculated in accordance with
Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 295/96.

(a) the quantities bought

in each week and each month,
broken down by products and qualities in accordance with
the Community scale for the classification of carcases
established by Regulation (EEC) No 1208/81;

(b) the quantities of each boned and bone-in product covered
by contracts of sale concluded in the month concerned;

(c) the quantities of each boned and bone-in product covered
by withdrawal orders or similar documents issued in the
month concerned;

(d) the uncommitted stocks and the physical stocks of each
bone-in product at the end of the month concerned, with
details of the length of time the uncommitted stocks have
been in storage.

4. By the end of each month at the latest, the Member States
shall notify the Commission in respect of the preceding month
of:

(a) the quantities of each boned product obtained from
bone-in beef bought in during the month concerned;

(b) the uncommitted stocks and the physical stocks of each
boned product at the end of the month concerned, with
details of the length of time the uncommitted stocks have
been in storage.

5.

For the purposes of this Article:

(a) ‘uncommitted stocks’ means stocks not yet covered by a

contract of sale;

The average market or intervention price in a Member State or
a region of a Member State shall be the average of the market
or intervention prices for each of those qualities, weighted by
the proportion each represents of total slaughterings in that
Member State or region.

The average Community intervention price shall be the average
of the intervention prices for each of those qualities, weighted
by the proportion each represents of total Community slaugh-
terings.

The market prices mentioned in the first and second subpara-
graphs shall be calculated for the qualities eligible for interven-
tion, converted into quality R3 using the coefficients set out in
Annex I.

3. The opening, suspension or reopening of buying-in shall
be decided on the basis of the two most recent weekly market
prices recorded in Member States, or regions of Member States,
except for the suspension of the measure provided for in
Article 47(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 where the last
weekly price recorded is sufficient.

Article 34

Conditions to be met for tendering

their

tenders to the intervention agencies of

interested parties shall
In response to invitations to tender,
submit
the
Member States where they have been issued, either by lodging
a written bid against a receipt or by any other written means of
communication accepted by the intervention agency, with
advice of receipt. The submission of tenders may be the subject
of contracts on terms laid down by the intervention agencies
and in accordance with their specifications.

(b) ‘physical stocks’ means uncommitted stocks plus stocks
covered by a contract of sale but not yet taken over.

Separate tenders shall be submitted for each type of invitation
to tender.

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Article 35

Securities

The maintenance of tenders after the expiry of the period for
the submission of tenders and the delivery of the products to
the store designated by the intervention agency within the
period laid down in Article 16(2) shall constitute primary
requirements, the fulfilment of which shall be ensured by the
lodging of a security of EUR 36 per 100 kg.

Securities shall be lodged with the intervention agency in the
Member State in which the tender is submitted.

Article 36

Maximum buying-in price

In the case of invitations to tender under Article 47(3) of
Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999, tenders shall not be considered
if the price quoted is higher than the average market price
recorded in a Member State or regions of a Member State by
quality, converted into quality R3 using the coefficients set out
in Annex I, plus EUR 10 per 100 kg carcase weight. However,
in the case of Member States or regions of a Member State
meeting the conditions laid down in Article 47(5) of Regula-
tion (EC) No 1254/1999, the amount added shall be EUR 6
per 100 kg.

CHAPTER V

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 37

Repeal

1. Regulation (EEC) No 2456/93 is repealed with effect from
1 April 2000.

However, it shall remain applicable for tendering procedures
which started before that date.

References to the repealed Regulations shall be construed as
references to this Regulation and shall be read in conjunction
with the correlation table in Annex IX to this Regulation.

2. Regulation (EEC) No 1627/89 is repealed as from 1 July
2002.

Article 38

Entry into force

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 first invitation to tender of April 2000,
except for Article 3, Article 11(2), Article 12(1) and Article
14(1) which shall apply only from 1 July 2002.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 15 March 2000.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

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ANNEX I

Conversion coefficients

Qualities

Coefficients

U2

U3

U4

R2

R3

R4

O2

O3

O4

1,058

1,044

1,015

1,015

1,000

0,971

0,956

0,942

0,914

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ANEXO II — BILAG II — ANHANG II — ΠΑΡΑΡΤΗΜΑ II — ANNEX II — ANNEXE II — ALLEGATO II —
BĲLAGE II — ANEXO II — LIITE II — BILAGA II

Productos admisibles para la intervención — Produkter, der er kvalificeret til intervention — Interventionsfä-
hige Erzeugnisse — Προϊόντα επιλέξιµα για την παρέµβαση — Products eligible for intervention — Produits
éligibles à l'intervention — Prodotti ammissibili all'intervento — Producten die voor interventie in aanmerking
komen — Produtos elegíveis para a intervenção — Interventiokelpoiset tuotteet — Produkter som kan bli
föremål för intervention

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Carcasses, demi-carcasses:
Hele dieren, halve dieren:
— Catégorie A, classe U2/
— Categorie A, klasse U2
— Catégorie A, classe U3/
— Catégorie A, klasse U3
— Catégorie A, classe R2/
— Catégorie A, klasse R2
— Catégorie A, classe R3/
— Categorie A, klasse R3

DANMARK

Hele og halve kroppe:
— Kategori A, klasse R2
— Kategori A, klasse R3

DEUTSCHLAND

Ganze oder halbe Tierkörper:
— Kategorie A, Klasse U2
— Kategorie A, Klasse U3
— Kategorie A, Klasse R2
— Kategorie A, Klasse R3

ΕΛΛΑ∆Α

Ολόκληρα ή µισά σφάγια
— Κατηγορία Α, κλάση R2
— Κατηγορία Α, κλάση R3

ESPAÑA

Canales o semicanales:

— Categoría A, clase U2
— Categoría A, clase U3
— Categoría A, clase R2
— Categoría A, clase R3

FRANCE

Carcasses, demi-carcasses:
— Catégorie A, classe U2
— Catégorie A, classe U3
— Catégorie A, classe R2
— Catégorie A, classe R3
— Catégorie C, classe U2
— Catégorie C, classe U3
— Catégorie C, classe U4
— Catégorie C, classe R3
— Catégorie C, classe R4
— Catégorie C, classe O3

IRELAND

Carcases, half-carcases:
— Category C, class U3
— Category C, class U4
— Category C, class R3
— Category C, class R4
— Category C, class O3

ITALIA

Carcasse e mezzene:
— Categoria A, classe U2
— Categoria A, classe U3
— Categoria A, classe R2
— Categoria A, classe R3

LUXEMBOURG

Carcasses, demi-carcasses:
— Catégorie A, classe R2
— Catégorie C, classe R3
— Catégorie C, classe O3

NEDERLAND

Hele dieren, halve dieren:
— Categorie A, klasse R2
— Categorie A, klasse R3

ÖSTERREICH

Ganze oder halbe Tierkörper:
— Kategorie A, Klasse U2
— Kategorie A, Klasse U3
— Kategorie A, Klasse R2
— Kategorie A, Klasse R3

PORTUGAL

Carcaças ou meias-carcaças
— Categoria A, classe U2
— Categoria A, classe U3
— Categoria A, classe R2
— Categoria A, classe R3

FINLAND

Carcases, half-carcases:
— Category A, class R2
— Category A, class R3

SWEDEN

Carcases, half-carcases:
— Category A, class R2
— Category A, class R3

UNITED KINGDOM

I. Great Britain

Carcases, half-carcases:
— Category C, class U3
— Category C, class U4
— Category C, class R3
— Category C, class R4

II. Northern Ireland

Carcases, half-carcases:
— Category C, class U3
— Category C, class U4
— Category C, class R3
— Category C, class R4
— Category C, class O3

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ANNEX III

Provisions applicable to carcases, half-carcases and quarters

1. Carcases and half-carcases, fresh or chilled (CN code 0201), of animals slaughtered not more than six days and not less

than two days previously.

2. For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:

(a) carcase: the whole body of the slaughtered animal hung from the slaughterhouse hook by the shank tendon after

bleeding, evisceration and skinning, presented:
— without the head and without the feet; the head must be separated from the carcase at the atloido-occipital

joint and the feet must be severed at the carpometacarpal or tarsometatarsal

joints,

— without the organs contained in the thoracic and abdominal cavities, and without the kidneys, the kidney fat

and the pelvic fat,

— without the sexual organs and the attached muscles,
— without the thin skirt and the thick skirt,
— without the tail and the first coccygeal vertebra,
— without the spinal cord,
— without the cod fat and the adjacent flank fat,
— without the fascial
— without fat on the inside of topside,
— without the jugular vein and the adjacent fat,
— the neck being cut in accordance with veterinary requirements, without removal of the neck muscle,
— the brisket fat must not be more than 1 cm thick;

linea alba of the abdominal muscle,

(b) half-carcase: the product obtained by separating the carcase as referred to in (a) symmetrically through the middle
of the cervical, dorsal, lumbar and sacral vertebrae and through the middle of the sternum and the ischiopubic
symphysis. During carcase processing, the dorsal and lumbar vertebrae must not be seriously dislocated; associated
muscles and tendons must not show any damage from saws or knives;

(c)

forequarters:
— cut from the carcase after cooling off,
— five-rib straight cut;

(d) hindquarters:

— cut from the carcase after cooling off,
— eight-rib straight cut.

3. Products as specified in points 1 and 2 must come from well-bled carcases, the animal having been properly flayed, the
carcase surface in no way peeling, suffused or bruised; superficial fat must not be torn or removed to any significant
degree. The pleura must be undamaged except in order to facilitate hanging. Carcases must not be soiled by any source
of contamination,

in particular by faecal matter or significant bloodstain.

4. Products as specified in point 2(c) and (d) must come from carcases or half-carcases satisfying the requirements in

point 2(a) and (b).

5. Products as specified in points 1 and 2 must be chilled immediately after slaughter for at least 48 hours so that the
internal temperature at the end of the chilling period does not exceed + 7 °C. This temperature must be maintained
until they are taken over.

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ANNEX IV

Coefficients referred to in Article 14(3)

Formula A

Coefficient n =

a
b

Where:

a = the average of the average market prices recorded in the Member State or region thereof in question for the two or

three weeks following that of the award decision,

b = the average market price recorded in the Member State or region thereof in question, as referred to in Article 14(1),

applicable to the invitation to tender concerned.

Formula B

Coefficient n' =

a'
b'

Where:

a' = the average of the purchase prices paid by the tenderer for animals of the same quality and category as those taken
into account for the calculation of the average market price during the two or three weeks following that of the
award decision,

b' = the average of the purchase prices paid by the tenderer for animals taken into account for the calculation of the
average market price during the two weeks used to determine the average market price applicable to the invitation to
tender concerned.

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ANNEX V

Specifications for intervention boning

1.

HINDQUARTER CUTS

1.2. Description of cuts

1.2.1. I n t e r v e n t i o n s h a n k (code INT 11)

Cutting and boning: remove by a cut passing through the stifle joint and separating from the topside and the
silverside by following the natural seam, leaving the heel muscle attached to the shank. Remove shank bones (tibia
and hock).

Trimming: trim sinew tips back to the meat.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polythene before packing in cartons lined with
polythene.

1.2.2. I n t e r v e n t i o n t h i c k f l a n k (code INT 12)

Cutting and boning: separate from the topside by a straight cut down to and along the line of the femur and from
the silverside by continuing the cut down in the line of the natural seam. The cap must be left naturally attached.

Trimming: remove the patella, the joint capsule and tendon. The external fat cover must not exceed 1 cm at any
point.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polythene before packing in cartons lined with
polythene.

1.2.3. I n t e r v e n t i o n t o p s i d e (code INT 13)

Cutting and boning: separate from the silverside and the shank by a cut following the line of the natural seam and
detach from the femur. Remove the aitch bone.

Trimming: remove the pizzle butt, the adjacent gristle and the scrotal (superficial inguinal) gland. Remove the
cartilage and connective tissues associated with the pelvic bone. The external fat cover must not exceed 1 cm at
any point.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polythene before packing in cartons lined with
polythene.

1.2.4. I n t e r v e n t i o n s i l v e r s i d e (code NT 14)

Cutting and boning: separate from the topside and the shank by a cut following the line of the natural seam.
Remove the femur.

Trimming: remove the heavy cartilage adjacent to the bone joint, the popiteal lymph node, attached fat and
tendon. The external fat cover must not exceed 1 cm at any point.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polythene before packing in cartons lined with
polythene.

1.2.5. I n t e r v e n t i o n f i l l e t

(code INT 15)

Cutting: remove entire length of fillet by freeing the head (butt end) from the hip bone (ilium) and by tracing along
the fillet adjacent to the vertebrae, thereby freeing the fillet from the loin.

Trimming: remove gland and de-fat. Leave the silverskin and chain muscle intact and fully attached. Special care
must be taken in cutting, trimming and packing this valuable cut.

Wrapping and packing: fillets must be packed carefully lengthwise, thin ends to thick ends alternatively, silverksin
up, and must not be folded. These cuts must be individually wrapped in polythene before packing in cartons lined
with polythene.

1.2.6. I n t e r v e n t i o n r u m p (code INT 16)

Cutting and boning: separate from the silverside/thick flank by a straight cut from a point approximately 5 cm
from the posterior edge of the fifth sacral vertebra, passing approximately 5 cm from the anterior edge of the aitch
bone, taking care not to cut through the thick flank.

Separate from the loin by a cut between the last lumbar and first sacral vertebrae, clearing the anterior edge of the
pelvic bone. Remove bones and cartilage.

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Trimming: remove the pocket of fat on the internal surface below the eye muscle. The external fat cover must not
exceed 1 cm at any point. Special care must be taken in cutting, trimming and packing this valuable cut.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polythene before packing in cartons lined with
polythene.

1.2.7. I n t e r v e n t i o n s t r i p l o i n (code INT 17)

Cutting and boning: separate from the rump by a straight cut between the last lumbar and the first sacral vertebrae.
Separate from the fore-rib (five bone) by a straight cut between the 11th and 10th ribs. Remove the backbones
cleanly. Remove the ribs and feather bones by ‘sheeting out’.

Trimming: remove any species of cartilage left after boning. The tendon must be removed. The external fat cover
must not exceed 1 cm at any point. Special care must be taken in cutting, trimming and packing this valuable cut.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polythene before packing in cartons lined with
polythene.

1.2.8. I n t e r v e n t i o n f l a n k (code INT 18)

Cutting and boning: remove the full flank from the eight-rib straight-cut hindquarter by a cut from the point where
the flank has been laid back, following the natural seam down around the surface of the hind muscles to a point
which is horizontal to the middle of the last lumbar vertebra. Continue the cut downwards in a straight line
parallel to the fillet, through the 13th to the 6th rib inclusive along a line running parallel to the dorsal edge of the
vertebral column, so that the entire downward cut is no more than 5 cm from the lateral tip of the eye muscle.

Remove all bones and cartilage by ‘sheeting out’. The whole flank must remain in one piece.

Trimming: remove the coarse connective tissue sheath covering the goose skirt, leaving the goose skirt intact. Trim
fat so that the overall percentage of visible (external and interstitial) fat does not exceed 30 %.

Wrapping and packing: the full flank may be folded once only for packing. It must not be cut or rolled. When
packed, the inner part of the flank and the goose skirt must be clearly visible. Before packing each box must be
lined with polythene to allow complete wrapping of the cut/s.

1.2.9. I n t e r v e n t i o n f o r e - r i b (five bone) (code INT 19)

Cutting and boning: this cut must be separated from the striploin by a straight cut between the 11th and 10th ribs
and must include the 6th to 10th ribs inclusive. Remove the intercostal muscles and pleura in a thin sheet with rib
bones. Remove backbone and cartilage,

including the tip of the scapula.

Trimming: remove the backstrap (ligamentum nuchae). The external fat cover must not exceed 1 cm at any point.
The cap must be left attached.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polythene before packing in cartons lined with
polythene.

2.

FOREQUARTER CUTS

2.1. Description of cuts

2.1.1. I n t e r v e n t i o n s h i n (code INT 21)

Cutting and boning: remove by a cut around the joint separating the shinbone (radius) and clod-bone (humerus).
Remove the shinbone (radius).

Trimming: trim sinew tips back to the meat.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polythene before packing in cartons lined with
polythene.

Shins must not be packed with shanks.

2.1.2. I n t e r v e n t i o n s h o u l d e r (code INT 22)

Cutting and boning: separate the shoulder from the forequarter by cutting in a line following the natural seam
around the edge of the shoulder and the cartilage at the tip of the scapula, continuing around the seam so that the
shoulder is lifted from its natural pocket. Remove the scapula. The blade muscle under the scapula must be laid
back but left attached so as to allow clean removal of the bone. Remove the clod-bone (humerus).

Trimming: remove cartilage, tendons and joint capsules. Trim fat so that the overall percentage of visible (external
and interstitial) fat does not exceed 10 %.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polythene before packing in cartons lined with
polythene.

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2.1.3. I n t e r v e n t i o n b r i s k e t

(code INT 23)

Cutting and boning: separate from the forequarter by cutting in a straight line perpendicular to the middle of the
first rib. Remove intercostal muscles and pleura by ‘sheeting out’, with ribs, breastbone and cartilage. Deckle to be
left attached to the brisket. Fat underlying the deckle and the sternum must be removed.

Trimming: trim fat so that the overall percentage of visible (external and interstitial) fat does not exceed 30 %.

Wrapping and packing: each cut must be individually wrapped in polythene and packed in a carton lined with
polythene to allow complete wrapping of the cuts.

2.1.4. I n t e r v e n t i o n f o r e q u a r t e r (code INT 24)

Cutting and boning: the cut remaining after removal of the brisket, shoulder and shin is classed as forequarter.

Remove rib bones by ‘sheeting out’. Neck bones must be removed cleanly.

The chain muscle must be left attached to this cut.

Trimming: tendons, joint capsules and cartilage to be removed. Trim fat so that the overall percentage of visible
(external and interstitial) fat does not exceed 10 %.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polythene before packing in cartons lined with
polythene.

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ANEXO VI — BILAG VI — ANHANG VI — ΠΑΡΑΡΤΗΜΑ VI — ANNEX VI — ANNEXE VI — ALLEGATO VI —
BĲLAGE VI — ANEXO VI — LIITE VI — BILAGA VI

Direcciones de los organismos de intervención — Interventionsorganernes adresser — Anschriften der Interven-
tionsstellen — ∆ιευθύνσεις του οργανισµού παρέµβασης — Adresses of the intervention agencies — Adresses des
organismes d'intervention — Indirizzi degli organismi d'intervento — Adressen van de interventiebureaus —
Endereços dos organismos de intervenção — Interventieoelinten osoitteet — Interventionsorganens adresser

Belgique/België

Bureau d'intervention et de restitution belge
Rue de Trèves 82
B-1040 Bruxelles

Belgisch Interventie- en Restitutiebureau
Trierstraat 82
B-1040 Brussel
Tel. (32-2) 287 24 11; telex BIRB BRUB 24076/65567; fax (32-2) 230 25 33/280 03 07

Danmark

Ministeriet for Fødevarer, Landbrug og Fiskeri
EU-Direktoratet
Kampmannsgade 3
DK-1780 København V
tlf. (45) 33 92 70 00; telex 151317 DK; fax (45) 33 92 69 48, (45) 33 92 69 23

Bundesrepublik Deutschland

Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE)
Postfach 180203, D-60083 Frankfurt am Main
Adickesallee 40, D-60322 Frankfurt am Main
Tel. (49) 69 15 64-704/705; Telex 411727; Telefax (49) 69 15 64-790/985

Ελλάδα

∆Ι∆ΑΓΕΠ
Αχαρών 241
GR-10176 Αθήνα,
Τηλ. (01) 86 56 439, τέλεξ 221735, φαξ: 86 70 503

España

FEGA (Fondo Español de Garantía Agraria)
Beneficencia 8
E-28005 Madrid
Tel.: (34) 913 47 65 00, 913 47 63 10; télex: FEGA 23427 E; fax: (34) 915 21 98 32, 915 22 43 87

France

Ofival
80, avenue des Terroirs-de-France
F-75607 Paris Cedex 12
Tél.: (33-1) 44 68 50 00; télex: 215330; télécopieur: (33-1) 44 68 52 33

Ireland

Department of Agriculture and Food
Johnston Castle Estate
County Wexford
Ireland
Tel. (353-53) 634 00; fax (353-53) 428 42

Italia

AGEA (Agenzia per le erogazioni
Via Palestro, 81
I-00185 Roma
Tel. 49 49 91; telex 61 30 03; fax 445 39 40/445 19 58

in agricoltura)

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Luxembourg

Service d'économie rurale, section ‘cheptel et viande’
113-115, rue de Hollerich
L-1741 Luxembourg
Tél.: (352) 478/443; télex: 2537

Nederland

Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuurbeheer en Visserĳ
Laser Regio Zuidoost
Slachthuisstraat 71
Postbus 965
6040 AZ Roermond
Nederland
Tel. (31-475) 35 54 44; fax (31-475) 31 89 39

Österreich

AMA Agrarmarkt Austria
Dresdner Straße 70
A-1201 Wien
Tel. (431) 33 15 12 20; Telefax (431) 33 15 12 97

Portugal

INGA — Instituto Nacional de Intervenção e Garantia Agrícola
Rua Fernando Curado Ribeiro, n.o 4 6.o E
P-1600 Lisboa
Tel.: (351) 217 51 85 00; fax: (351) 217 51 86 15

Finland

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Intervention Unit
PL 232 (Kluuvikatu 4A)
00171 Helsinki
Finland
P. 358-9 16 01; F. 358-9 16 09 760

Sweden

Statens Jordbruksverk – Swedish Board of Agriculture
Intervention Division
S-551 82 Jönköping
Tfn (46-36) 15 50 00; telex 70991 SJV-S; fax (46-36) 71 95 11

United Kingdom

Intervention Board Executive Agency
PO Box 1AW
Hampshire Court
Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1AW
United Kingdom
Tel. (44-191) 273 96 96; fax (44-191) 226 18 39

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ANNEX VII

Provisions applicable to cartons, pallets and cages

I. Cartons

1. Cartons must be of a standard format and weight and strong enough to resist being pallet-stacked.

2. Cartons used may not show the name of the slaughterhouse or cutting plant from which the products come.

3. Cartons must be weighed individually after being filled; cartons filled with a weight fixed in advance are not

authorised.

4. The net weight of cuts per carton may not exceed 30 kg.

5. Only cuts of the same designation identified by their full name or by the Community code and coming from the
same category of animal may be placed in the same carton; cartons may not contain any pieces of fat or other
trimming under any circumstances.

6. Cartons must bear the following seals:

— intervention agency labels on both ends,

— official veterinary inspection labels in the middle of front and back, but only on the front in the case of

monobloc boxes.

Such labels must bear a serial number and be affixed in such a way that they are destroyed when the carton is
opened.

7. The intervention agency labels must show the number of the contract, the type and number of cuts, the net
weight and the date of packing; the labels must not be less than 20 × 20 cm; the veterinary inspection labels must
show the approval number of the cutting plant.

8. The serial numbers on labels referred to in point 6 must be recorded in respect of each contract and it must be

possible to compare the number of cartons used and of labels issued.

9. Cartons must be bound with four straps, two lengthwise and two widthwise placed approximately 10 cm from

each corner.

10. Labels torn during inspection must be replaced by serially numbered labels, two per carton,

issued by the

intervention agency to the competent authorities.

II. Pallets and cages

1. Cartons relating to different invitations to tender and containing different cuts must be stored on separate pallets by
invitation to tender or by month and by cut; such pallets must be identified by labels showing the number of the
invitation to tender, the type of cut, the net weight of the product, the tare weight and the number of cartons per
cut.

2. Bone-in quarters from different invitations to tender must be stored by tender or by month in separate cages for
forequarters and hindquarters; such containers must be identified by labels showing the number of the invitation to
tender, the number and classification of quarters, broken down into forequarters and hindquarters, the net weight
thereof and the tare weight.

3. The location of pallets and cages must be shown on a storage plant.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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ANNEX VIII

Individual prices of rejected intervention cuts for the purposes of Article 29(2)

Intervention fillet

Intervention striploin

Intervention topside
Intervention rump

Intervention silverside
Intervention thick flank
Intervention forerib (with five ribs)

Intervention shoulder
Intervention fore quarter

Intervention brisket
Intervention shank
Intervention shin

Intervention flank

(EUR/tonne)

22 000

14 000

10 000

8 000

6 000

5 000

4 000

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L 68/45

ANNEX IX

Correlation table

Regulation (EEC) No 2456/93

This Regulation

Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Article 4
Article 5
Article 6
Article 7
Article 8
Article 9
Article 10
Article 11
Article 12
Article 13
Article 14
Article 15
Article 16
Article 17
Article 18
Article 19
Article 20
Article 21
Article 22
Article 23
Article 24
Article 25
Article 26
Article 27
Article 28
Article 29
—
—
—
—
Article 30
Article 31
Article 32
Article 33

Annex I
Annex II
Annex III
Annex IV
Annex V
Annex VI
Annex VII
Annex VIII
Annex IX
Annex X
Annex XI

Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Article 4
Article 5
Article 6
Article 7
Article 8
Article 9
Article 10
Article 11
Article 12
Article 13
Article 14
Article 15
Article 16
Article 17
Article 18
Article 19
Article 20
Article 21
Article 22
Article 23
Article 24
Article 25
Article 26
Article 27
Article 28
Article 29
Article 30
Article 31
Article 32
Article 33
Article 34
Article 35
Article 36
Article 37

—
Annex I
Annex II
—
Annex III
Annex IV
Annex V
Annex VI
Annex VII
Annex IX
Annex VIII