1. Technical Assistance for Development of a Strategy for Alignment with
Common Market Organisation (CMO) Requirements
TR2014/AG/10-A1-01/001
This Project is co-financed by the European Union and the Republic of Turkey
History, trends, actual situation and some pracitical issues regarding classification Training on classification March 2018
Ankara, March 2018

2. Subclasses Several systems in use No subclasses at all
Three subclasses per mainclass for all conformation and fat cover classes
Two subclasses per main class (e.g. UK 4h and 4L)
Application of subclass depending on category (e.g Netherlands no subclass for fat cover in cat. Z)
Application of subclass depending on mainclass (e.g. no subclasses for class S)
Ankara, March 2018

3. Requirements to obtain a licence
Example: situation in the Netherlands
Practical exam Conformation Fat cover
50 carcasses: correct classification 10 points points
error of one subclass 5 points points
error of two subclasses -10 points -8 point
error of three subclasses -25 points -20 points
extra decrease of points in case of disbalance at conformation
2 points per carcass for nr 1 until 5 3 points per carcass for nr 6 until 10
4 points per carcass for nr 11 until 15 5 points per carcass for nr 16 until 20
6 points per carcass for nr 21 until 25
for each error of a subclass that is not compensated by an error in the other direction
Minimal number of points to pass the exam is 300 points for both conformation and fatcover.
Theoretical exam: number of questions regarding classification and dressing.
Ankara, March 2018

4. Examples of result conformation fatcover
Correct 36*10= 360 points 32*10=320 points
1 subclass too high: 7*5= points 9*6= points
1 subclass too low: 2*5= points 2*6= points
2 subclasses too high: 3*-10= points 3*-8= -24 points
2 subclasses too low: 2*-10= points 4*-8= -32 points
Disbalance 7-2=5 5*-2= points
Totals 50 carcasses 345 points points
Candidate passed the practical exam
Correct 32*10= 320 points 34*10=340 points
1 subclass too high: 8*5= points 7*6= points
1 subclass too low: 2*5= points 2*6= points
2 subclasses too high: 4*-10= points 3*-8= points
2 subclasses too low: 4*-10= points 4*-8= -32 points
Disbalance 8-2=6 6*-3= points
Totals 50 carcasses 272 points points
Candidate failed the practical exam
Ankara, March 2018

5. Specific elements of classification in the Netherlands (1)
The Ministry contracted one organisation to carry out classification for all bovines (cat Z,A,B,C,D and E) and pigs. Currently the contracted party is Kiwa-Comore.
For pigs the Ministry allows only one grading equipment; currently CGM. At the moment the pig sector made a request to allow more kinds of grading equipments. Additional classification (AA,A,B and C) for muscle development.
On the spot checks and exams are carried out by inspectors of the Food Safety Organisation.
In the Netherlands classification of pigs started in the 1960’s. Classification was carried out by the Intervention board until In 1988 the private organisation CBS (Central Office Slaughterservices) took over this task. In order to have an objective control Comission Quality management Classification (CKC) has been founded. CKC monitors inspections in beef and pig classification and it grants licenses to classifiers.
Also in 1988 NL started with automated classification using the HGP2, later on followed by the HGP7 and since 2013 by CGM probe.
Ankara, March 2018

6. Specific elements of classification in the Netherlands (2)
Beef classification started in the early 70’s with a national system of 6 conformation and 4 fat classes. In the early 1980’s the SEUROP system was introduced in the Netherlands.
A separate SEUROP system is also used for veal classification. In the veal sector a separate system for colour classification is in use. This camera sytem developped by Minolta determines the meat colour of each carcass.
Veal classification is an initiative from the veal industry which is very important in NL. Classification and inspections are carried out by KIWA-Comore staff.
Ankara, March 2018

7. Specific elements of classification in Poland (1)
Classification is carried out by abattoirs’ staff. All classifiers are licensed. Approval done by Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection.
Following pig carcass classification devices were approved to be used in Polish slaughterhouses: Ultra-Fom 300, CGM, IM-03, Auto-Fom, CSB Image-Meater and the ZP method.
On the spot checks and exams are carried out by inspectors of the Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection.
Ankara, March 2018

8. Specific elements of classification in Poland (2)
The first slaughterhouses introduced the apparatus for grading pig carcasses in Ultra Fom 100 using EUROP system.
Electronic rulers and a few optical and needle devices were introduced.
220 slaughterhouses used imported devices and 4 national meat assessment devices in 1998.
Although they did not meet the requirements of the European Union - the dissemination of classification and contracts with suppliers on the basis of the results of the lean meat content contributed to a significant increase in the average level of lean meat content.
The average lean meat content of the pig carcasses increased from 44% to 51% from 1995 to 2003.
Ankara, March 2018

9. Trends in classification (1)
Beef: Automated grading techniques become more popular. New test expected in Poland; These techniques are considered as being more objective. Moreover these techniques can predict also other elements like boning yield. Other quality elements like meat colour will be in use. Currently already in use in veal industry.
Pigs: Manual probes will be replaced by automated systems using video analyzis and/or ultrasonic measurements. Due to the improved quality (57% S and 34% E) more differentiation in subclasses. Several payment systems, based on lean meat %, but also only on muscle or fat thickness.
Sheep: use of automated grading techniques??
Ankara, March 2018

10. Trends in classification (2)
In the pig industry production of meat is the main goal. The industry succeeded in increasing the lean meat percentage up to 57% for class S and 34% for class E. Therefore there is a wish to further subdivide the classes which is realized in the new legislation.
In the bovine sector the main aim in many countries is dairy production. The sector tries to increase the meat percentage for meat breeds, but a big quantity of beef is coming from dairy cattle. Therefore there is not a real trend to increase the meat percentage of the total bovine herd.
Also in the sheep sector there are other targets apart from the production of sheep meat like the production of wool and milk.
Ankara, March 2018

11. Trends in classification (3)
Sometimes other elements influence classification results. For instance in Belgium the beef sector succeeded in achieving a very high percentage of class S because of thje big improvement of the Belgian Blue breed.
However, a big disadvantage occurred: the double muscled calves caused birth problems and therefore the breeding sector had to change its policy to lighter calves resulting in a decrease of class S.
The increase of class P is probably caused by the increased number of specific dairy breeds (Holstein Friesian).
Ankara, March 2018

12. Trends in classification (4),
Ankara, March 2018

13. Trends in pig classification (2) increase of carcass quality and % classified carcasses (1)
Ankara, March 2018

14. Trends in pigs classification (2) increase of carcass quality and % classified carcasses (2)
Ankara, March 2018

15. Trends in pigs classification (2) decrease of the number of slaughter plants – POLAND (3)
Ankara, March 2018

16. Trends in pigs classification (2) increase of carcass quality and % of classified carcasses (3)
Ankara, March 2018

17. Trends in pigs classification increase of carcass quality and % classified carcasses – POLAND (4)
Ankara, March 2018

18. Trends in pigs classification increase of carcass quality and % classified carcasses – POLAND (5)
Ankara, March 2018

19. Trends in pigs classification increase of carcass bought on classification – POLAND (6)
Ankara, March 2018

20. Trends in beef classification decrease of the number of slaughter plants - POLAND (1)
Ankara, March 2018

21. Trends in beef classification increase of classified carcasses - POLAND (2)
Ankara, March 2018

22. Trends in beef classification increase number of carcasses bought on the basis of classification - POLAND (3)
Ankara, March 2018

23. Thank you for your attention Any questions
Technical Assistance for Development of a Strategy for Alignment with
Common Market Organisation (CMO) Requirements
TR2014/AG/10-A1-01/001
This Project is co-financed by the European Union and the Republic of Turkey
Thank you for your attention Any questions
Ankara, March 2018

24. This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union
The contents of this publication is the sole responsibility of NIRAS IC Sp. z o.o. and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union