ANNEX IIIBEEF

PART VIIISpecifications for intervention boning

1.HINDQUARTER CUTS

1.1.Description of cuts

1.1.1.Intervention shank (code INT 11)

Cutting and boning: remove by a cut passing through the stifle joint and separating from the topside and the silverside by following the natural seam, leaving the heel muscle attached to the shank. Remove shank bones (tibia and hock).

Trimming: trim sinew tips back to the meat.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polyethylene before packing in cartons lined with polyethylene.

1.1.2.Intervention thick flank (code INT 12)

Cutting and boning: separate from the topside by a straight cut down to and along the line of the femur and from the silverside by continuing the cut down in the line of the natural seam; the cap must be left naturally attached.

Trimming: remove the patella, the joint capsule and tendon; the external fat cover must not exceed one centimetre at any point.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polyethylene before packing in cartons lined with polyethylene.

1.1.3.Intervention topside (code INT 13)

Cutting and boning: separate from the silverside and the shank by a cut following the line of the natural seam and detach from the femur; remove the aitchbone.

Trimming: remove the pizzle butt, the adjacent gristle and the scrotal (superficial inguinal) gland; remove the cartilage and connective tissues associated with the pelvic bone; the external fat cover must not exceed one centimetre at any point.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polyethylene before packing in cartons lined with polyethylene.

1.1.4.Intervention silverside (code INT 14)

Cutting and boning: separate from the topside and the shank by a cut following the line of the natural seam; remove the femur.

Trimming: remove the heavy cartilage adjacent to the bone joint, the popiteal lymph node, attached fat and tendon; the external fat cover must not exceed one centimetre at any point.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polyethylene before packing in cartons lined with polyethylene.

1.1.5.Intervention fillet (code INT 15)

Cutting: remove entire length of fillet by freeing the head (butt end) from the hip bone (ilium) and by tracing along the fillet adjacent to the vertebrae, thereby freeing the fillet from the loin.

Trimming: remove gland and de-fat. Leave the silverskin and chain muscle intact and fully attached. Special care must be taken in cutting, trimming and packing this valuable cut.

Wrapping and packing: fillets must be packed carefully lengthwise, thin ends to thick ends alternatively, silverskin up, and must not be folded.

These cuts must be individually wrapped in polyethylene before packing in cartons lined with polyethylene.

1.1.6.Intervention rump (code INT 16)

Cutting and boning: separate from the silverside/thick flank by a straight cut from a point approximately five centimetres from the posterior edge of the fifth sacral vertebra, passing approximately five centimetres from the anterior edge of the aitchbone, taking care not to cut through the thick flank.

Separate from the loin by a cut between the last lumbar and first sacral vertebrae, clearing the anterior edge of the pelvic bone. Remove bones and cartilage.

Trimming: remove the pocket of fat on the internal surface below the eye muscle. The external fat cover must not exceed one centimetre at any point. Special care must be taken in cutting, trimming and packing this valuable cut.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polyethylene before packing in cartons lined with polyethylene.

1.1.7.Intervention striploin (code INT 17)

Cutting and boning: separate from the rump by a straight cut between the ast lumbar and the first sacral vertebrae. Separate from the fore-rib (five bone) by a straight cut between the eleventh and tenth ribs. Remove the backbones cleanly. Remove the ribs and feather bones by sheeting out.

Trimming: remove any species of cartilage left after boning. The tendon must be removed. The external fat cover must not exceed one centimetre at any point. Special care must be taken in cutting, trimming and packing this valuable cut.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polyethylene before packing in cartons lined with polyethylene.

1.1.8.Intervention flank (code INT 18)

Cutting and boning: remove the full flank from the eight-rib straight-cut hindquarter by a cut from the point where the flank has been laid back, following the natural seam down around the surface of the hind muscles to a point which is horizontal to the middle of the last lumbar vertebra.

Continue the cut downwards in a straight line parallel to the fillet, through the thirteenth to the sixth rib inclusive along a line running parallel to the dorsal edge of the vertebral column, so that the entire downward cut is no more than five centimetres from the lateral tip of the eye muscle.

Remove all bones and cartilage by sheeting out. The whole flank must remain in one piece.

Trimming: remove the coarse connective tissue sheath covering the goose skirt, leaving the goose skirt intact. Trim fat so that the overall percentage of visible (external and interstitial) fat does not exceed 30 %.

Wrapping and packing: the full flank may be folded once only for packing. It must not be cut or rolled. When packed, the inner part of the flank and the goose skirt must be clearly visible. Before packing each box must be lined with polyethylene to allow complete wrapping of the cut(s).

1.1.9.Intervention fore-rib (five bone) (code INT 19)

Cutting and boning: this cut must be separated from the striploin by a straight cut between the eleventh and tenth ribs and must include the sixth to tenth ribs inclusive. Remove the intercostal muscles and pleura in a thin sheet with rib bones. Remove backbone and cartilage, including the tip of the scapula.

Trimming: remove the backstrap (ligamentum nuchae). The external fat cover must not exceed one centimetre at any point. The cap must be left attached.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polyethylene before packing in cartons lined with polyethylene.

2.FOREQUARTER CUTS

2.1.Description of cuts

2.1.1.Intervention shin (code INT 21)

Cutting and boning: remove by a cut around the joint separating the shinbone (radius) and clod-bone (humerus). Remove the shinbone (radius).

Trimming: trim sinew tips back to the meat.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polyethylene before packing in cartons lined with polyethylene.

Shins must not be packed with shanks.

2.1.2.Intervention shoulder (code INT 22)

Cutting and boning: separate the shoulder from the forequarter by cutting in a line following the natural seam around the edge of the shoulder and the cartilage at the tip of the scapula, continuing around the seam so that the shoulder is lifted from its natural pocket. Remove the scapula. The blade muscle under the scapula must be laid back but left attached so as to allow clean removal of the bone. Remove the clod-bone (humerus).

Trimming: remove cartilage, tendons and joint capsules; trim fat so that the overall percentage of visible (external and interstitial) fat does not exceed 10 %.

Wrapping and packing: these cuts must be individually wrapped in polyethylene before packing in cartons lined with polyethylene.