London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of London 1927

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]

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45
2. Mutton and Lamb.—The importation of mutton and lamb increased by 8,427 tons,
compared with the quantity for 1926. Sheep offals (frozen) amounted to 3,535 tons, and
tinned or canned food derived from sheep and lambs amounted to over 2,535 tons.
3. Pork.—The imports of fresh pork consisted of 15,000 tons less than in 1926, and the
quantity of frozen pork was 4,300 tons less.

The following table shows the total imports of meat and bacon from the various countries:—

Countries.Beef.Mutton.Pork.Bacon.
Argentina577,91676,8242,233
Australia32,13731,398
Canada25,154
China33
Denmark254,080
Irish Free State15,86722,544
New Zealand16,543136,866
Other Countries11,88215,8945,15889,624
U.S.A.3,9011,93832,054
Uruguay29,41715,863
Tons671,796276,84525,229423,456

4. live stock.— The importation of live cattle from soutn Africa, Canada and the
U.S.A., appears to be gradually diminishing to the stage of extinction. During the year
under review only 7,669 animals arrived from Canada, compared with over 79,000 for the
year 1926. The increasing demand for cattle and the high prices obtained in the U.S.A.
is the explanation. If that demand continues and the U.S.A. opens its ports to chilled beef
from South America, there would follow a marked effect on the supplies of that class of meat
to Smithfield Market, with in all probability an increase in the price of beef. This would
be an incentive to the British and Irish farmers to produce more home-fed animals.

LIVE FOOD ANIMALS IMPORTED 1927.

Countries.Cattle No.Sheep No.Pigs No.
Canada7,669__
Irish Free State629,001584,397394,740
South Africa198
Totals636.868584.397394,740

Re-Exportation of Meat.—From the same source of information it appears that this
country re-exported 1,245 tons of chilled beef, 21,110 tons of frozen beef, 111 tons of frozen
pork, 1,503 tons of frozen mutton and lamb and 1,242 tons of bacon and hams. In addition
to 16,079 tons of fresh meat, 2,869 tons of home-produced bacon and hams and 6,684 tons of
offal.
SMITHFIELD MARKETS.
The following table* shows comparison in tonnage of the supplies for 1927 with those
for 1926, by which it will be observed that 1927 was another record supply year, there being
a total increase of 9,052 tons over the record of 1926: —

LONDON CENTRAL ANALYSIS AND COMPARISONS OF SUPPLIES IN

MARKETS. TONS.—A

RECORD

YEAR'S SUPPLIES.

Description and Country of Origin.1027.1926.Difference.
Beef and Veal:—Britain and Ireland47,55838,225+ 9,333
Australia2,7587,093— 4,335
New Zealand1,2921,473— 181
Canada8274,413— 3,586
United States of America1,3141,583— 269
Argentina201,064191,566+ 9,498
Uruguay, etc.6,99712,312— 5,315
Netherlands4,250— 4,250
Other Countries2,342— 2,342
Totals—Beef and Veal261,810263,257— 1,447
Description and Country of Origin.1927.1926.Difference.
Mutton and Lamb :—Britain and Ireland39,92133,199+ 6,722
Australia18,58216,109+ 2,473
New Zealand65,66066,836— 1,176
Canada
United States of America9354+ 39
Argentina21,15521,986— 831
Uruguay, etc.4,6962,645+ 2,051
Netherlands1,641— 1,641
Other Countries150,107104142,574— 104+ 7,533

* We are indebted to the Superintendent for those figures.