Grading Remit Follow-up

10-09-2007 | webmaster

The Velvet Grading Guidelines Committee heard from Chris Pullar of Manawatu, who put forward the remit requesting a review of the current grading system.

Pullar explained that he doesn’t want the grading guidelines changed, but wants investigation into how to get more accurate grading that would remove any human error.

The committee discussed some options, including expanding DINZ’s annual audit, an accreditation system for graders and ensuring that graders better understand processing.

Until now DINZ’s annual audit has focused on the pools. Crowley says one idea on the drawing board is for DINZ’s auditors to follow lines of velvet from the farm of origin right through the grading process, whether that be at the pool, or via road buyers or a group such as Velexco.

However, processors at the meeting pointed out that to a large extent self-auditing occurs because they grade in front of farmers and if they downgrade velvet, they’re losing business.

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