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51
The condition on arrival of the carcasses of sheep and lambs has been
good, whilst the improvements in refrigerating machinery have now reached
such a state of perfection that there have been few seizures on account of
unsoundness of condition.
The above remarks also apply to frozen and chilled beef—a new departure
in connection with the importation of the latter has been the conveyance of
chilled beef from Australia, the passage of the vessel from Brisbane occupying
62 days, and the consignment in question consisting of 1,181 hind and
150 fore quarters.
It arrived in good condition and realised a good price when sold on the
market.
This importation was rendered possible by utilising the preservative
qualities of formalin at the freezing works and also on the vessel before loading
and during the voyage.
The subject of the application of formaldehyde to meat has received the
attention of the Local Government Board, and a report by Dr. Buchanan
and Dr. Schryver has been issued, of which I append a summary of their
conclusions.
"There are substantial reasons for objecting to the presence of
formaldehyde in food-stuffs.
"It is a very powerful disinfectant, and it may retard digestion, even
when present in the food in comparatively large dilution.
"Dr. Schryver recovered formaldehyde not only from various parts of
the surface of the beef, but from parts below the surface, and, in view of
his results, the meat importers and trades concerned should review the
employment of the formalin treatment of beef, and consider whether it
may not be practicable, having regard to the end in view, to limit the
use of formalin in the process to the adequate disinfection of the holds
before the meat is introduced."
I understand the question of thus using formalin on vessels, in connection
with chilled beef, is still under the consideration of the Local Government
Board.
FOREIGN MEAT REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE PUBLIC
HEALTH (REGULATIONS AS TO FOOD) ACT, 1907.
Article VI. requires:—
"The Sanitary Authority, within twelve hours after the receipt of
a copy of a notice by the Medical Officer of Health, in pursuance of
Sub-division (5) of Article III., or of Sub-division (1) of Article IV.,