This is according to figures released by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the Dáil on Tuesday.

In response to a parliamentary question asked by Fianna Fáil spokesperson for agriculture Charlie McConalogue, the Department also confirmed that almost 40,000 carcases had been checked for conformation, fat and carcase presentation during these visits by officers.

The inspections were carried out by officers from the Department’s beef carcase classification section.

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A damaged carcase. The dark red area on this carcase is bruising in the rump and loin area. Note the undamaged carcase has a covering of clear white fat across its rump and loin.

In the Dáil

In the Dáil on Tuesday, McConalogue also asked the minister of his plans to appoint agricultural officers to monitor carcase trim classification and weights at meat plants on a daily basis in view of the commitment he made to do so.

Minister Michael Creed said: “My Department is continuously monitoring the resource that is required for the control of the carcase classification system in the plants to ensure a robust inspection process is maintained at all times and is considering how to enhance the system at present.”

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