Video Image Analysis will improve transparency and trust
The introduction of Visual Imagery Analysis (VIA) machines at UK meat plants would improve transparency and trust and a move to one type of machine would greatly assist the process, said Ed Rees, NFU Cymru Livestock Board Chairman following a meeting held in Ireland to discuss the operation of VIA machines.
Mr Rees attended the meeting alongside representatives from England, Scotland and Ulster. The Irish Farmers Union chaired the meeting and provided a visit to the Kepack plant to see how the VIA machine operates.
He said, "It is generally accepted by Irish farmers that VIA has improved the consistency of beef carcass classification, and has improved transparency and trust within the livestock industry. Its introduction was financially supported by the Irish government, which recognised the improvements this technology could bring.
"We already recognise that there are price differentials between the north and south of the UK for the same grade of cattle, and this must be addressed. Any technology that can improve efficiency and transparency must be worthy of immediate consideration.
"These machines are also able to measure and deliver the meat yield of the carcass, which has the potential to reward producers who provide the supply chain with utilisable meat and help farmers in better selection.
"We would like to see the UK levy boards come together and trial a number of machines in a single plant and then move forward with a single machine that will be used across the whole country. This would be a useful stepping stone in building confidence and transparency for producers."
"Of course, there are many differences in the way in which Irish abattoirs are operated. Slaughterhouse charges are much lower, the clipping of cattle takes place after animals are slaughtered and there is no charge. However, the VIA machine would introduce a level of standardisation to the grading of animals rather than many individual graders."
"The red meat levy boards (for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)have just completed a trial of VIA for sheep. The results will be presented to industry bodies at a meeting on May 9th and the full report published later that same day.
"And as the NFU/NFU Cymru is well aware, an industry/levy board beef VIA meeting is already planned for the afternoon of May 9th at MLC's offices in Milton Keynes. The aim is to update the industry on background issues, provide a resume of available VIA machines and to discuss the role of levy-funding for future development trials.
