Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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526. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the return to service protocol to be followed by the authorised officer to allow a mechanical grading machine to be returned to full service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6412/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing.

In order to determine that the performance of a classification machine is within tolerance, authorised classification officers conduct a classification exercise on a minimum of 100 carcasses at each inspection. The unannounced checks verify the ongoing accuracy of the automated beef grading methods by using a system of points and limits defined in EU legislation.

When any mechanical system is found to be working outside of these tolerances, the meat plants concerned are instructed to revert to manual grading. The factory must then arrange for the machine to be serviced. When this service is completed, the Department is notified and will then proceed to conduct a further classification exercise (min 100 carcasses) to confirm that it is working within the legal tolerances.

In all cases where a factory is instructed to revert to manual grading, manual grading is initiated and this is advised to farmers through their remittance dockets.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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527. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of occasions in 2018 during the course of an unannounced inspection an FBO was asked to check and record the accuracy of the weighing scales used for the purposes of weighing a carcase in the presence of the authorised officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6413/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing.

In 2018 there were 548 inspections conducted in 32 factories classifying carcasses.

The FBO is asked to check and record the accuracy of the weighing scales used for the purposes of weighing a carcass in the presence of the authorised officer at all inspections.