October 29, 2010

Irish beef farmers doubts automated carcass grading's credibility

Automated beef carcass grading has not been universally welcomed by Ireland's farmers due to fears that mechanical classification is insufficiently monitored and policed by Department of Agriculture officials.

Concerns had been repeatedly raised by farmers over grading at the plant. Earlier this year, Dawn Meats recompensed farmers who were penalised by grading inaccuracies over three months at their Grannagh, County Waterford plant.

On the other hand, mixed results for automated beef carcass grading in Ireland over the last three years have not put British farmers off.

They are looking forward to similar technology being introduced for carcass classification across the British beef sector.

Video image analysis grading is to be licensed for use in meat plants by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in England.

The use of grading machines in Northern Ireland and Britain has been broadly welcomed by farm organisations, with Kim Haywood of the National Beef Association predicting consistently high classification and carcass dressing standards across all processing plants.

She said, "The British beef farmer will have the benefit of lessons learned during commercial VIA operation in the Republic of Ireland over the last three years, and also from information from its imminent take-up in Northern Ireland."

A certification test was carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at Foyle Meats, Northern Ireland, during March and April of this year. ABP in Perth are due to cross reference these results within its operation.