Representatives of the beef and lamb industry are being called upon to share their thoughts on the future of carcase classification as part of a call for views by AHDB Beef & Lamb.
The EUROP grid, which is currently used for carcase classification under EU regulation, provides a common language for the exchange of price information across Europe and forms the basis of domestic cattle purchase pricing mechanisms. In recent years, the importance and relevance of the EUROP grid in communicating consumer and retailer demands has been challenged and some parts of the industry have expressed a desire to move rewards to meat quality and consumer-based outcomes.
Laura Ryan, AHDB sector strategy director for Beef & Lamb, said: “With Brexit right around the corner, this is the perfect time to have an industry-wide discussion to assess the appetite for change in carcase classification and the key industry needs.”
“The beef and lamb sector has seen a number of changes in recent years and we want to make sure that, with a potential blank canvas in the pricing of cattle and sheep, that we help industry members have the opportunity to consider factors that are important to today’s supply chains and consumers.”
As part of the project, AHDB Beef & Lamb has also reviewed classification methods used globally in Australia, United States of America, Canada, South Africa, South America and Japan, and has been actively speaking to key stakeholders to get their view. Results will then be analysed in September and a consultation will be launched over the winter, should the industry strongly support.
To be part of the discussion, interested parties should submit their views on the following by Friday 8 September by email to carcase@ahdb.org.uk.
- Should elements of EUROP remain, if so, what?
- Is there industry ambition to review both beef and sheep carcase evaluation?
- What additional elements could be considered?
- What other methods used have relevance to the UK?
- How should we avoid multiple systems to prevent confusion in a post-EU industry?
- What role, if any, should RPA or the Government play?
- How and who is to manage pricing reporting?
