The method can be used by slaughterhouses that sacrifice until 500 animals to the week and in which the speed of the chain is, at most, of 40 channels to the hour

The classification of pork channels is of forced fulfillment in the EU for all the slaughterhouses that sacrifice more than 200 animals to the week, of annual average (EU 1234/2007). These slaughterhouses have the possibility to use different equipment and methods for the classification of channels, between which finds the method ZP. The slaughterhouses that sacrifice less than 200 animals to the week are not forced to classify the channels, although if like this they wish it, can do it.

The method ZP is headed to the slaughterhouses with little volume of sacrifice and is regulated by a European Decision (2012/384/EU). This, marks the limits of utilisation of the method that, in this case, is for slaughterhouses that sacrifice until 500 animals to the week and in which the speed of the chain is, at most, of 40 channels to the hour.

For the slaughterhouses that sacrifice little volume but that have the obligation to classify, the use of automatic equipment supposes, in a lot of occasions, an economic and logistical challenge. By these reasons, was necessary to put to disposal of these a method of classification of pork channels, easy, economic and adapted to his capacity. The current community legislation and valid in Spain, Decisions of the Commission (2009/11/EU) and (2012/384/EU), in addition to the methods authorised with the devices Fat-Or-Meat'er (FOM), Autofom, Ultrafom 300, VCS2000, FOM II and Autofom III, also authorises the 'manual method ZP'.

New regleta ZP that allows clasficación manual of the channels of pork.

The method of classification of channels ZP (Zwei-Puncte-Messverfahren or method of measurement of the two points), bases in the measurement of a thickness of muscle (M-ZP) and one of fat (F-ZP) in the zone of the ham. To apply it can use a regleta graduated normal, measuring the channel and entering the value of the measurements obtained (F-ZP and M-ZP) in the official formula with such to determine the so much percent of magro of the channel: % magro of the channel = 59,89- (0,821*F-ZP+ 0,157*M-ZP). This comports the realisation of calculations that, frequently, are difficult to realise on the same line of sacrifice, being precise to annotate it in a paper and happen it to a leaf of calculation, to realise the corresponding calculations.

Like this, to facilitate this work, and inside the Agreement of collaboration that the Ministry of Agriculture, Feeding and Environingingment (Magrama), specifically the General Sub-directorate of Products Graziers has with the Irta in the subject of the Classification of Pork and Bovine Channels, the researchers of the Irta have developed a regleta ZP that allows the implementation of the method ZP of fast and practical form. Following the methodology used in France, the Irta has developed the regleta ZP adapting it to the Spanish pork cabin following the formula published in the Decision 2012/384 EU of 12 July 2012.

The main innovation of the regleta is that, realising the two measurements, allows to obtain directly the percentage of magro of the channel on the same line of sacrifice. This fast determination of the percentage of magro allows to mark it on the channel instants after measuring it and without the need to realise any additional calculation. Simultaneously to the development of the regleta, the researchers of the Irta have made a practical manual and some technical index cards with such to facilitate the implementation of the method ZP in the slaughterhouses. Said manual and index cards serve so much for the measurement using the regleta graduated like the regleta ZP.

The regleta ZP, as well as the manual and the technical index cards will distribute of free form to all those slaughterhouses that fulfil the requirements and that request it to his corresponding delegation in his Autonomous Community. The distribution of the regletas ZP will realise through the Irta of Monells.