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150
The examination of these rabbits should be
conducted by competent meat inspectors at the
port of entry, and this can only be done when
they are partially thawed from the freezing
chambers. I am assured that agents, surveyors
of consignors, or any persons having an insurable
interest in the animals, find it impossible to
examine them for any defect or disease until
many hours after they are landed from the
freezing chambers, owing to their frozen
condition.
Long experience shows that rabbits are not so
free from suspicion of disease as other frozen
meats—sheep, beef, lamb, &c. It is obvious, therefore,
that no inspection can be of the least practical
use unless conducted by specially qualified
inspectors of meat, and that this process, for
the reasons above stated, should be carried out
at the wharf when the crates are first landed
from the ship.
The supervision of these imports could not be
efficiently carried on at Smithfield with our
present staff ; but apart from this consideration,