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137
the Sanitary Committee on the 22nd October, 1907, it would remain to be seen
how far the salesmen would make use of it, but at any rate I am of opinion
they should certainly have the opportunity of availing themselves of such
a system. It must be remembered that it would be more in the interest of the
salesman to have a voluntary system of the kind established, and for him to
make use of it, than that he should be subjected to compulsory Regulations
made by the Local Government Board for a similar purpose.
It is true that up to the present the Board have only dealt with imported
food and meat, but their powers under the Public Health (Regulations as to
Food) Act are practically unlimited. The practice of marking inspected meat
is common in other countries, and in view of the increased interest now taken
by the public with regard to the wholesomeness or quality of foodstuffs
generally, it is more than likely that the practice will be extended to this
country.
The Corporation has ever been in the van in all movements in connection
with the public welfare, and have modelled their administration of sanitary
affairs with a view of ensuring that in all respects it should be in harmony
with the spirit of the age.
The traditions of the office, therefore, I have the honour to hold, impel me
to again direct attention to this subject, and I would call attention to the fact
that any owner of carcasses slaughtered at Islington Cattle Market can have
his meat labelled after inspection, and that this system has been taken
advantage of by some large dealers.
EXPORT OF MEAT FOOD PRODUCTS TO CERTAIN
FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
To Argentina.
In November, 1907, the Local Government Board issued a memorandum for
the guidance of persons engaged in the export of meat products to Argentina.
In consequence of a decree issued on the 4th October, 1906, by the Argentine
Government, requiring that all pigs and other imported animal products
should be accompanied by a certificate (duly legalised by an Argentine Consul)
of the country where they were manufactured, to the effect that the factory
where the goods were prepared was under sanitary supervision, the Local
Government Board, after consultation with the Board of Agriculture and the
Board of Trade, formulated certain conditions, duly set forth in the
memorandum, under which meat products may be accompanied by an official
certificate which the Argentine Government agreed to accept with respect to
meat products exported from Great Britain. The official certificate can only
be issued by an official designated to act as " certifying officer " duly appointed
by the Local Government Board.