# The Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (England) Regulations 2025, Schedule 1: Classes of conformation and fat cover to be used in classification of carcases obtained from sheep aged less than twelve months


Table 1
CONFORMATION CLASSES Descriptions of the essential parts of a sheep carcase (hindquarter, back and shoulder) which indicate the conformation class for that carcase
Conformation class
Description
S
Superior
Hindquarter: double muscled. Profiles extremely convex.
Back: extremely convex, extremely wide, extremely thick.
Shoulder: extremely convex and extremely thick.
E
Excellent
Hindquarter: very thick. Profiles very convex.
Back: very convex, very wide and very thick to the shoulder.
Shoulder: very convex and very thick.
U
Very good
Hindquarter: thick. Profiles convex.
Back: wide and thick to the shoulder.
Shoulder: thick and convex.
R
Good
Hindquarter: profiles mainly straight.
Back: thick, but less wide to the shoulder.
Shoulder: good development, but less thick.
O
Fair
Hindquarter: profiles tending to slightly concave.
Back: lacking width and thickness.
Shoulder: tending to narrow. Lacking thickness.
P
Poor
Hindquarter: profiles concave to very concave.
Back: narrow and concave, with bones apparent.
Shoulder: narrow, flat and bones apparent.
Table 2
CLASS OF FAT COVER Descriptions of the degrees of fat coverage of a sheep carcase which indicate the fat cover class for that carcase
Class of fat cover
Description
1. Low
External:
Traces of, or no, fat visible.
Internal:
Abdominal: Traces of, or no, fat visible on kidneys.
Thoracic: Traces of, or no, fat visible between ribs.
2. Slight
External:
A slight layer of fat covers part of the carcase, but may be less evident on the limbs.
Internal:
Abdominal: Traces of fat, or slight layer of fat envelops part of the kidneys.
Thoracic: Muscle clearly visible between ribs.
3. Average
External:
A light layer of fat covering most, or all, of the carcase. Slightly thickened fat zones at the base of the tail.
Internal:
Abdominal: Light layer of fat envelops part, or all, of the kidneys.
Thoracic: Muscle still visible between ribs.
4. High
External:
A thick layer of fat covering most, or all, of the carcase; but may be thinner on limbs, and thickening on shoulders.
Internal:
Abdominal: Kidney is enveloped in fat.
Thoracic: Muscle between ribs may be infiltrated with fat. Fat deposits may be visible on the ribs.
5. Very high
External:
Very thick fat cover. Patches of fat sometimes visible.
Internal:
Abdominal: Kidneys enveloped in thick layer of fat.
Thoracic: Muscle between ribs infiltrated with fat. Fat deposits visible on ribs.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2025/9780348272369/schedule/1 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/draft-sheep-carcase-classification-and-price-reporting-england-regulations-2025/schedule-1
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.