Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2759/75 of 29 October 1975 on the common organisation of the market in pigmeat^f1, and in particular Articles 2 and 4(6) thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3220/84 of 13 November 1984 determining the Community scale for grading pig carcases^f2, and in particular Article 5(1) thereof,

Whereas:

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2967/85^f3 lays down detailed rules for the application of the Community scale for grading pig carcases, and in particular the method for assessing the lean meat content of pig carcases.

The results of recent research regarding the grading of pig carcases, in particular in the framework of the EUPIGCLASS project, have underlined the importance to improve the quality of sampling and to simplify the method for assessing the lean meat content of pig carcases.

The method for assessing the lean meat content of pig carcases and the calculation of the reference lean meat percentage laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 2967/85 should therefore be adapted.

Regulation (EEC) No 2967/85 should therefore be amended accordingly.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Pigmeat,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: