View report page

108
MEAT MARKING BILL.
On the 29th April, 1909, a Bill was introduced in the House of Lords,
providing for the marking of all imported meat and for the registration of
dealers in such meat.
It was known as the Meat Marking Bill, and provided that it should be
the duty of the Commissioners of Customs to see that all meat imported dead
is marked in the country of origin with the word "foreign" or "colonial" in
printed capital letters. In the case of meat imported in wrappers, each
wrapper was also to be marked in a similar manner. Every carcase was also
to be so marked that when cut up in the ordinary way each separate joint
would bear those words or part of those words. It was made the duty of
the Commissioners of Customs to see that all imported dead meat is so marked
before it leaves the wharf.
In the case of animals imported alive for slaughter, the carcases were to be
similarly marked before removal from the abattoirs adjoining the place of
debarkation.
There was a clause in the Bill making it compulsory for every vendor of
foreign and colonial meat to affix the words "Dealer in Foreign and Colonial
Meat" on his shop, stall, vehicle or place where such meat is sold, offered,
exposed or kept for sale. Local Authorities were to be required to keep a
register of all dealers in foreign and colonial meat within their districts.
It was made the duty of every Local Authority to see that the provisions
of the Bill were enforced, failing which the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries
were empowered by order to execute and enforce the same at the expense of
the Local Authority.
The Commissioners of Sewers were defined as the Local Authority within
the City and its liberties, and the London County Council for the rest of the
County of London.
The reference to the late Commissioners of Sewers is a curious error on the
part of the draughtsman. The words "Corporation of London" should have
been substituted.
The Bill was withdrawn on the 19th May, 1909, without being read a
second time, but I understand it will be introduced in the Commons next
Session.
This measure is presumably advocated in the interest of British agriculturists,
but it would have been more to the purpose if the inspection and
marking of all British meat were made compulsory.