The Chairperson of ICMSA’s Livestock Committee confirmed that he has met the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine to discuss and clarify what Des Morrison said were “long-outstanding issues” around the mechanical grading and trimming of carcasses. Mr Morrison said that the department officials had confirmed that 91% of all cattle slaughtered are mechanically graded and that the same machines are used in all factories.
“We were told that all plants are visited 20 times yearly with a target to classify on average 85 carcasses per visit and that the visits by the Department’s officials are unannounced. The Department stated that only one half of the carcasses was graded, and the payment was based on that grade. We specifically asked that each half of the animal carcase be graded individually – on both classification and trim – so that the farmer could make the case to be paid on the higher graded half, if there was a difference. The Department confirmed that they will put this specific query to the machine manufacturers to see if it’s possible and will revert to me with an answer. We are also in a position to confirm that an upgraded machine has been assessed with formal results due to be announced later this year”, said Mr. Morrison.
Ends 8 April 2019
Des Morrison, 087-2263331
Chairperson, ICMSA Livestock Committee
Or
Cathal MacCarthy, 087-6168758
ICMSA Press Office
€70,000 Cap Must Not Act As A Disincentive For Young Farmers – Cahill
