2001/468/EC: Commission Decision of 8 June 2001 authorising methods for grading pig carcasses in Italy (notified under document number C(2001) 1568)

Commission Decision
of 8 June 2001
authorising methods for grading pig carcasses in Italy
(notified under document number C(2001) 1568)
(Only the Italian text is authentic)
(2001/468/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2759/75 of 29 October 1975 on the common organisation of the market in pigmeat(1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1365/2000(2), and in particular Article 4(5) thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3220/84 of 13 November 1984 determining the Community scale for grading pig carcasses(3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3513/93(4), and in particular Article 5(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Article 2(3) of Regulation (EEC) No 3220/84 provides that the grading of pig carcasses must be determined by estimating the content of lean meat in accordance with statistically proven assessment methods based on the physical measurement of one or more anatomical parts of the pig carcass. The authorisation of grading methods is subject to compliance with a maximum tolerance for statistical error in assessment. This tolerance has been defined in Article 3 of Commission Regulation (EEEC) No 2967/85 of 24 October 1985 laying down detailed rules for the application of the Community scale for grading pig carcasses(5), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 3127/94(6).
(2) The Commission, by Decision 89/53/EEC(7), as amended by Decision 89/602/EEC(8), has authorised different methods for grading pig carcasses in Italy.
(3) The Italian Government has requested the Commission to authorise the use of only two methods for calculating the lean meat content of carcasses in Italy: "Fat-O-Meater" and "Hennessy Grading Probe". The information required pursuant to Article 3 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2967/85 has been submitted. The evaluation of the request has shown that the conditions for authorising the said methods of grading are fulfilled.
(4) Article 2 of Regulation (EEC) No 3220/84 lays down that Member States may be authorised to provide for a presentation of pig carcasses different to the standard presentations defined in the same Article where commercial practice or technical requirements so warrant.
(5) In Italy the traditions in carcass presentation, and consequently, commercial practice, necessitate that carcasses can be presented with the flare fat and/or kidneys and/or diaphragm. This should be taken into account in adjusting to the weight for standard presentation. A uniform Italian carcass presentation should be adopted before end of 2003.
(6) For the sake of clarity, a new decision should be adopted. Decision 89/53/EEC should therefore be repealed.
(7) No adjustments to grading methods may be authorised except by means of a Commission decision adopted in the light of experience gained.
(8) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Pigmeat,