View report page

The consequence of this demand has been a quickening of competition
in the trade, resulting in an improvement in the quality
of the milk supply generally.
Slaughterhouses, Butchers' and Provision Shops and Stalls.
At the end of the year there were 4 slaughterhouses in the
Borough, compared with 5 at the end of 1923. Objection was
taken to the renewal of the licence for one slaughterhouse on the
ground of disuse, and the London County Council refused to
renew the licence. The sanitary inspectors made 154 inspections
of slaughterhouses.
In December, 1924, the Ministry of Health issued the Public
Health (Meat) Regulations, such Regulations being based on the
recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Meat
Inspection, and being " designed to secure more adequate
inspection of animals slaughtered in this country, and improvements
in the handling, transport and distribution of meat."
Part I of the Eegulations contains definitions and deals with
power of entry, etc. Part II contains provisions for the regulation
of slaughterhouses and slaughtering, and requires persons
intending to slaughter any animal to give 3 hours' notice to the
Local Authority of such intention. An important provision is
contained in Article 10, prohibiting the removal of the carcase
and internal organs from the slaughterhouse until inspected, or
the removal authorised, by the Local Authority's inspector.
Part III empowers the institution by the Local Authority,
in certain circumstances, of a system of marking meat which has
been examined and found sound by the Local Authority's
inspector. Part IV deals with the question of meat sold from
stalls. Among the conditions imposed hereunder is one requiring
such stalls to be enclosed and covered for the protection of the
meat from dust, flies, etc. Part V deals with shops and stores
where meat is sold or kept, and contains provisions for the
cleansing of the premises and utensils and for the protection of
the meat from contamination. Part VI provides for the protection
of meat during transport and handling.
The Regulations come into force on April Ist, 1925, and will
undoubtedly lead to a considerable improvement in the conditions
under which meat is stored and sold. It is to be hoped
that similar regulations will soon be issued to enable Local
Authorities to deal with fruit, butter, confectionery and similar
articles, many of which are consumed in the same condition as
when purchased. It should be pointed out that the adequate
enforcement of the Meat Regulations will add greatly to the
responsibility, and encroach considerably on the time, of the
inspectors in some districts, and I feel constrained to reiterate
my oft-expressed opinion on the question of food inspection, viz.,