Farmers 'could be losing €168/head due to grading machines' - Naughten

Beef farmers could be “losing up to €168/head” due to the lack of accuracy on mechanical beef grading machines in meat plants across the country, according to independent TD Denis Naughten.

Figures obtained by the Roscommon Galway TD on the accuracy of beef grading machines show that department inspectors have found machines to be out by a factor of at least 10% on 119 occasions over the last 18 months.

Deputy Naughten pointed out that the legal tolerance limit set for beef grading machines currently in use in meat plants is “a mere 60% accuracy”.

Even though the department inspectors found them to be out by at least 10% on 119 occasions, on only eight occasions was mechanical grading suspended because the machines had to be getting the grades wrong on four out of every 10 cattle, the TD contended.

“The mechanical grading machines in use in beef plants across the country today were first trialled and tested 20 years ago by Teagasc,” deputy Naughten said.

“At that time Google was just invented and people needed an encyclopedia if we wanted to look something up.

“Technology has changed a lot in 20 years and we now need new high-tech beef grading machines and new modern rules to operate them so they can accurately reflect the actual grade of the animal.

“These new rules then need to be properly enforced by departmental officials to ensure that farmers will not be exploited.”

Naughten continued, adding that this “incorrect grading is having a significant impact on the payment received by farmers because if a grading machine is out by at least two subcategories this could see farmers getting €168/head less than they should for their cattle”.

“What is hugely frustrating is the fact that these grading machines can easily be over 90% accurate but this requires vigorous enforcement by Department of Agriculture inspectors,” concluded deputy Naughten.