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It was clearly understood that these arrangements were made with a view
to minimising any delay that otherwise might be incurred in the execution of
the duties imposed by the Regulations, and that the Corporation did not part
with any of its rights or powers under them, reserving the right to check the
meat from time to time at any point, and to vary and revoke them without
notice.
The "London Gazette," of the 22nd January last, gave notices of " official
certificate" declared to be admissible in relation to Foreign Meat of Class III.
admitted for import under Article III. of the Foreign Meat Regulations,
which sanction the importation of fresh pork contained in a box, case,
receptacle or package under certain conditions, one being that it should bear
an "official certificate" indicating that it has been certified by competent
authority in the place of origin to be free from disease at the time of slaughter,
and that the meat has been certified by like authority to have been dressed
or prepared and packed with the needful observance of all requirements for
the prevention of danger arising to public health as an article of food. Such
"official certificate" means a certificate, label, mark or stamp, or other
voucher which, by a notice published in the " London Gazette," is declared to
be admissible for a certain period.
The notices in the Gazette referred to related to official certificates declared
to be admissible in relation to Foreign Meat of Class III. imported from
Denmark, the Netherlands, the Dominion of Canada, and the Dominion of
New Zealand.
The effect of these Regulations will be to practically stop the importation
of a certain class of American frozen boxed meat, the undesirable nature of
which has frequently been brought to your notice. The importation of
tubercular pigs from the Continent will also be checked, and tripes, tongues,
and kidneys saturated with compounds containing boron and other preservatives
will be kept out of the country.
Copies of the Regulations and Orders referred to in the foregoing are given
in Appendix E, p. 186.
REFRIGERATION.
The great development of the system of Refrigeration, and its important
bearing on the preservation of foods, was well shown by the marked success
which attended the First International Congress of the Refrigerating Industry,
held in Paris in October, 1908, to which your Medical Officer was appointed
a British delegate.
The Congress was attended by delegates from nearly every country in the
world, and many useful and instructive discussions took place.