ANNEX VCOMMUNITY SCALES FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF CARCASSES REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 42

C.Community scale for the classification of sheep carcasses

I.Definition

As regards the terms ’carcass’ and ’half-carcass’ the definitions laid down in point A.I shall apply.

II.Categories

The carcasses shall be divided into the following categories:

A

carcasses of sheep under 12 months old,

B

carcasses of other sheep.

III.Classification

1.

The carcasses shall be classified by way of application of the provisions in point A.III. mutatis mutandis. However, the term ’round’ in point A.III.1 and in rows 3 and 4 of the table under point A.III.2. shall be replaced by the term ’hindquarter’.

2.By way of derogation from point 1, for lambs of less than 13 kg carcass weight, Member States may be authorised by the Commission, without the assistance of the Committee referred to in Article 195(1), to use the following criteria for classification:

  1. (a)

    carcass weight,

  2. (b)

    colour of meat,

  3. (c)

    fat cover.

IV.Presentation

Carcasses and half-carcasses shall be presented without the head (severed at the atlantooccipital joint), the feet (severed at the carpometacarpal or tarso-metatarsal joints), the tail (severed between the sixth and seventh caudal vertebrae), the udder, the genitalia, the liver and the pluck. Kidneys and kidney fat are included in the carcass.

However, Member States shall be authorised to permit different presentations when the reference presentation is not used. In such instances, the adjustments necessary to progress from those presentations to the reference presentation shall be determined in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 195(2).

V.Identification of carcasses

Classified carcasses and half-carcasses shall be identified by marking in accordance with the Community scale.