AUSTRALIA’S MEAT TRADE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28222, 9 March 1957, Page 9

AUSTRALIA’S MEAT TRADE

REVISED GRACING PROPOSALS

The chairman of the Australian Meat Board (Mr J. L. Shute) has announced that, following a report by the delegation recently returned from the United Kingdom and after full consideration by the board, it had been decided to recommend to the Minister for Primary Industry, Mr W. McMahon, that certain amendments to the grading regulations affecting Australian export beef be made. The proposed alterations were not considered drastic but were designed to discourage the export of heavyweight and over-fat beef. The recommendations suggest that no hindquarters of beef weighing over 1951 b chilled weight, with corresponding weight for crops, should be permitted export in the chilled form. Also, hindquarter beef to be exported in the frozen form weighing over 2051 b chilled weight should be broken up and exported as piece beef. A further recommendation is that hindquarters of beef of weights lower than 2051 b which: in the opinion of the Common- i wealth Meat Inspector are over-! fat should not be permitted export in the quarter form but also should be broken up and exported as piece beef. To meet current consumer requirements, it has been suggested that consideration be given to a limited variation in grading standards to provide for the inclusion in first quality of quarters with slightly less fat covering than at present permitted, subject to the quarters being of good conformation and of suitable age. The board has also decided to ask the Chief Commonwealth Veterinary Officer to report to the board at the end of the present lamb export season with regard to lamb grading, having particular reference to the fat coverage of the various grades of export lamb.