Pig carcasses in the Netherlands: Decision (EU) 2026/1799 authorises four techniques for estimating lean meat content — with new formulas, from 1 January 2027
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1799, published on 28 July 2026, authorises pig carcass grading techniques in the Netherlands: three new instruments and a new formula for a fourth technique already in use. Two existing methods are withdrawn at the Netherlands’ request, and Decision 2011/303/EU is repealed.
- The commercial class of a pig carcass in the EU depends on its lean meat percentage, estimated on the slaughter line by an instrument from physical measurements of the carcass. The authorised techniques are: an ultrasound instrument with 25 transducers (16.5 mm between transducers), a camera and image analysis system measuring fat and muscle thickness in the ham region, and two optical probes with depth measurement inserted between the ribs. The decision gives a formula for each — e.g. for the ultrasound instrument: Y = 64.48671 − 0.37519 × R2P4 − 0.34035 × R2P10 + 0.03625 × R3P9.
- The variables in the formulas are fat and muscle thicknesses in millimetres at precisely described points (e.g. 7 cm off the carcass midline between the second and third last ribs for one probe, 6 cm between the third and fourth last ribs for the other). All formulas apply to carcasses weighing between 60 and 140 kg (hot carcass weight) — outside that range the estimate is not covered by the authorisation.
- The authorisation conditions are set out in Annex V to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1182: a representative sample of at least 120 carcasses subjected to trial dissection (total, partial, or computed tomography compared with dissection), and a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), calculated by cross-validation or a test set of at least 60 carcasses, below 2.5 — outliers included.
- The decision applies from 1 January 2027 so that plants have time to introduce the new devices and formulas. Any change to an authorised method or instrument requires a new Commission implementing decision; only the Dutch text is authentic.
Source: Decyzja wykonawcza Komisji (UE) 2026/1799 z dnia 24 lipca 2026 r. (Dz.U. L 2026/1799, 28.7.2026)