Development of uniform methods for pig carcass classification in the EC

The study was aimed at improving harmonisation of pig carcass classification standards applied in EC countries by relating the classification results to a uniformly expressed percentage of lean in the carcass, which is the basic criterion in pig carcass classification. For that purpose the results of standard methods of dissection of different EC countries were compared with an agreed common reference method, in order to establish the relationship. In addition classification results and relevant measurements of backfat and muscle thickness were recorded in order to assess their merits in predicting the percentage of "reference-lean".