| Other defra.gov.uk sites
 
You are here:

Beef Carcase Classification


    Welcome to the Beef Carcase Classification Scheme

    All abattoirs that slaughter in excess of 75 adult bovine animals per week, on a yearly average basis, must comply with the Beef Carcase Classification Scheme, which provides for the compulsory classification of adult beef carcases on the basis of a combination of their fat and conformation. BCC is the abbreviated title for this scheme.

    In England and Wales the Regulations allow that where a small scale operator (ie an abattoir which slaughter 75 adult bovine animals or less per week, on a yearly average basis) may choose to classify bovine carcases. However they will be required to classify all adult bovine carcases and comply with all the regulatory requirements and register under the scheme.

    The scheme is to ensure the uniformity of classification to guarantee producers fair payment based on the Community grading scale for adult bovine animals delivered to slaughterhouses. This classification also improves the transparency of the market in beef carcases, to the benefit of all sectors of the industry.

    A slaughterhouse may carry out their own classification with their own staff who have obtained a classification licence, or another suitably qualified person/company who have the appropriate classification licence. A beef carcase classifier must hold a proficiency licence, which is issued by the RPA, Meat Technical Schemes, after the successful completion of a test conducted by the RPA Livestock & Meat Inspectorate.

    Inspectors from the L & M Inspectorate carry out BCC inspections on a regular but unannounced basis to these slaughterhouses and complete compliance reports.


    Page published: 6 August 2012