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Transport of Meat by Carriers.—In February a conference was held with representatives
of the London Cartage and Haulage Contractors' Association, to which several of the largest
firms of meat carriers belong. The adequate covering of meat while in transit, the carriage
of offals and the use of straw in meat vans were discussed, arid general principles laid down
for the guidance of meat carriers and others ; these were communicated by the Secretary
to the members of the Association with beneficial results.
There is no doubt that the increased care shown by the large carrying organizations
proved a useful reminder to others of the existence of the Regulations ; moreover, it tends
to remove the erroneous impression that large businesses are permitted gfeater latitude
than smaller concerns. One assumes that the marked improvement in cleanly transport
is a reliable indication that, through example, the underlying principles of the Regulations
are more and more understood generally.
Local Conditions : (a) Smithfield Market.—As the result of a somewhat prolonged
period of observation, certain avoidable conditions leading to accidental contamination
of meat during handling and porterage were found.
The following matters were referred to the Committees concerned by the Sanitary
Committee :—
That the Byelaws be amended so as to include such offences as :—
(1) dirty overall clothing worn by meat porters ;
(2) men urinating in the vicinity of meat vans ;
(3) appropriation of waste straw by unauthorized persons ;
(4) dirty market trucks ;
and as to general recommendations :—
(5) the kerbstones at certain points at Smithfield Market to be sloped
to enable laden meat trucks to run without shock from the footway to
the road, and vice versa ;
(6) the washing down of footways at the market be delayed until the loading
of meat into carrier vans had been completed ;
(7) the vehicles used for the collection of street sweepings be lower, so as to
minimise the diffusion of dust during lifting and loading.
(b) Aldgate.—The closing of the Aldgate Slaughterhouses at the end of 1926 materially
affected the local conditions there. The disused premises, after cleansing, have since been
utilized to extend the wholesale meat shops which they adjoined. The increased area thus
available for storage and display of meat has proved beneficial. The environment of Aldgate
Market is now much more cleanly, and the condition of the wholesale shops has substantially
improved.
Transport of Meat.—Improvement in the vehicles used for meat traffic has been slow.
This has been due, in part, to the absence of any specific requirements. There is still a
tendency to repeat unsatisfactory structural details when vehicles are sent for repair or
refitting. There is a lack of appreciation of the essentials by some builders of meat vans.
The adapted vehicle is seldom without fault. Some guidance is desirable-both to makers
and users, in order that defects in van design may be eliminated.
Some meat traders are realizing that clean and efficient hired transport is a business
asset; they are no longer satisfied with dirty-looking and dilapidated vans. Unfortunately,
this cannot be said of a proportion of traders who use their own vehicles for market work,
although it might be thought that they, too, would see the value of possessing transport
obviously hygienic and maintained at a high standard of structural condition and cleanliness.
Gross infringements of the clause relating to transport were fewer, but minor offences
continued numerous. There is still much room for improvement in the methods employed
and the care exercised in handling and transport.
Overall Clothing worn by Persons carrying Meat.—This requirement has continued to
present a serious difficulty. On two occasions it has received the special consideration of the
Sanitary Committee. It has not been thought desirable to proceed with the proposed cooperative
scheme for the supplying and washing of overall clothing, owing to administrative
and other difficulties ; a recommendation has been made, however, for the Market Bye laws
to be amended in so far as the licensed porters are concerned. In addition, an authorization
was given to send a circular letter to all licensed porters, numbering 1,600, urging
them in their own interests to avoid an infringement of the law relating to the wearing of
an overall and head covering while carrying meat. It is hoped that considerable improvement
will result from these measures.