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Fines have been issued by DAFM in respect of 21 cases of carcase trimming so far this year.
These were found during the routine inspection process carried out by DAFM officials in factories which monitors the performance of carcase grading and trimming by the meat processors.
Where carcase trimming is found to be non-compliant, a fine of €200 is applied.
Inspection process
Monitoring of carcase classification and trim or dressing as it is often referred to, is undertaken by DAFM inspectors on a random basis.
In 2017, they carried out 662 inspection visits to Irish beef factories during which a total of 59,227 carcases were checked.
Since the end of manual grading of cattle in factories with the introduction of mechanical grading in 2004, this random inspection process is how factory compliance with dressing specification is scrutinised.
Additional scrutiny
Currently DAFM are in the process of rolling out additional scrutiny, carried out by DAFM veterinary public health staff.
This will supplement the Beef Carcase Classification staff who have been carrying out the random inspections.
Upskilling of DAFM staff to undertake this additional carcase trim scrutiny has occurred at regional seminars and a roll-out of the new duties allocated to Department staff has begun on a phased basis in a number of factories.
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