Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he expects the number of animals graded incorrectly annually with the mechanical grading system to increase in view of the further breakdown of grades under the MII grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21977/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The mechanical classification system has been in operation for over five years and operates well within the statistical tolerances provided for in EU legislation. It has always classified beef carcases on the fifteen-point scale (i.e. including sub-classes within each main class for both conformation and fat). Officials of my Department have always checked the machine performance using the fifteen-point scale for both conformation and fat. The introduction of the beef pricing grid does not impact in any way on the type of checks carried out to ensure the machines continue to operate in a satisfactory manner.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the estimated number of animals graded incorrectly annually with the mechanical grading system based on the performance criteria provided for under EU regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21976/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The performance of the beef carcase classification machine in each beef processing plant is monitored by regular unannounced inspections by officials of my Department. The purpose of these inspections is to determine whether the machines operate within the statistical parameters laid down by EU Regulations. The performance of the machine is determined using the scoring criteria laid down in the EU Regulations. The results demonstrate that the machines are performing well within the performance criteria laid down.