View report page

70
It has been my practice to advise prosecution only in cases as to
the seriousness oi which there could be 110 doubt whatever; that is
to say, we have only taken to Court cases where the meat seized
was extremely unsound or in a state of advanced disease, or cases
where continued warnings have been of no avail. In other cases,
where extenuating circumstances of one kind or another existed,
we have been satisfied with reprimanding or warning the owner
of the meat, and in that way have given him the benefit of any
doubt. This policy has been adopted, not from any desire to
diminish tliu absolute strictness of meat inspection, and, where
necessary, prompt prosecution, but from a knowledge of the ordinary
exigencies and difficulties of the trade, especially in hot weather.
There has been a marked decline in prosecutions since 1904,
which is a sign, I believe, not of lack of vigilance, but of an improved
meat traffic.
Certification of Meat Products.—The Committee considered
a communication from the Local Government Board, calling
attention to their recent memorandum on the certification of meat
products intended for export to Argentina and stating that they had
been applied to by Bovril, Limited, and other firms for the designation
of a certifying officer to certify their products intended for export to
Argentina as produced under good sanitary conditions; and stating
that, if the Council and the Medical Officer of Health assent, the
Board would designate the Medical Officer of Health as certifying
officer for this Borough. The Medical Officer of Health having
expressed his assent to act in the manner suggested, it was resolved
by the Council to signify to the Local Government Board their assent
to the Medical Officer of Health being designated Certifying Officer
for this Borough, under the regulations of the Board.
The Table on the following page shows the amount and character
of the food confiscated during 1907. About 80 per cent, of the
total meat surrendered was of foreign origin (chiefly Dutch
and American).