Classification & Payment

VION Tilburg slaughters and processes cattle. The careful payment of the beef farmers is very important and is based on the weight and classification. In the Netherlands, weighing and classification are carried out in accordance with a special procedure by employees of the independent CBS Group.
These employees monitor the weighing in abattoirs. They are also responsible for the classification of the cattle. The classification system is based on the sex, the type of animal, musculature and the percentage of lean meat and fat. In the European Union this is expressed in the letters S.E.U.R.O.P. Beef cattle are classified by category and age according to conformation and fatness quality criteria.

Conformation (proportion of meat) is designated by the letters:
S, E, U, R, O, P.

In the Netherlands the classifications for conformation and fatness are divided into subcategories (except for class S). The symbols +, o and - (plus, circle and minus respectively) indicate the more specific classification.
The fat layer is designated in figures:

The SEUROP class that has been assessed is applied to the carcass with a stamp or label. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Food Quality checks that the classification is performed properly. The payment to the beef farmer is based on the SEUROP quality class and weight.