Carcass grading involves sorting slaughter animals into different groups based on meatiness and fat content. Additionally, animals of different genders and ages have different applications. The grading system is fundamental for the implementation of the agricutural agreement concerning slaughter production. The grading system is also fundamental for the market regulation of slaughter. Only certain qualities of slaughter can be subject to market regulation. The grading must be consistent throughout the country at all times.
Carcass grading guidelines
Klassifiseringshåndboka is a carcass grading handbook, and the manual constitutes the regulatory framework for carcass grading in Norway. Animalia is responsible for maintenance, updating, and distribution.
Carcass grading services
Animalia offers a range of services in carcass grading, including slaughter statistics for cattle, small livestock, and pigs. The data tool KTERM is utilised in connection with several activities in the grading work. We also provide courses and training, with a variety of courses available in our course catalog
EUROP grid method
The European Union's EUROP grid method was introduced in Norway in 1996. This means that throughout the EU and some other European countries, the carcass grading of of beef and lamb carcasses is done using a system that includes 15 conformation classes and 15 fat classes. The EUROP grid method has clear definitions, and the classification scale ranges from P- to E+ based on the carcass shape. Pigs are classified into meat percentage groups.
In visual assessment of carcasses, a trained classifier evaluates each carcass. According to the EUROP scale, the carcass is assessed along seven pre-defined lines. The shape of these lines determines which of the 15 classes the individual slaughter receives. When carcass grading is done through visual assessment, it is the grader's professional judgment that determines the carcass grading.