Sheep carcase classification changes revealed

Sheep carcase classification changes revealed

New measures to improve fairness and transparency for livestock producers have been proposed by Defra, with a consultation process launched on mandating sheep carcase classification to ensure consistency across all abattoirs in England.

Under the proposals, qualified assessors will use a standard grid to classify carcasses and determine how much a producer should be paid. As producers will also receive the results of the classification process, Defra say the changes will ensure producers are paid for their livestock in a fair and transparent way and help them plan, react to the market and improve productivity.

The consultation period will run for 12-weeks and plans will affect abattoirs slaughtering more than 1,000 sheep per week in England. There are also suggestions being made that greater transparency will be required by Defra affecting all beef, pig and sheep abattoirs, including the publishing a schedule of charges for all livestock species.

Farming Minister George Eustice said: “The quality of our lamb is the envy of the world. This consultation is an important step in improving fairness for sheep farmers and ensuring they get a fair deal for their excellent produce.

Farming Minister, George Eustice.

“Today’s announcement follows the government’s response to the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) call for evidence which included plans for a £10 million collaboration fund, and compulsory dairy contracts and sheep carcase classification.

“Updating carcase classification is one of a number of measures we will bring to help protect the interests of farmers and small producers. It will also bring carcase classification for sheep in line with classification for cows and pigs which has been mandatory in commercial-scale abattoirs for many years.”

Wales will be running a parallel consultation with England, which also opened on Thursday 31 May.

The consultation can be viewed here.

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