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47
Australia.—This Dominion exported to Great Britain during the year 1928 50,791 tons
of beef and 27,411 tons of mutton and lamb, being 8 per cent. of all the beef and 9 per cent,
of all mutton imported from the various countries. In a previous report mention was made
of the Alcock electrical defrosting apparatus, which seemed to be a success, but the trade
has not taken the process into operation. During 1928, Mr. Rayson, from Australia, introduced
another system of defrosting by washing the quarters under an atomised spray, increasing
the temperature gradually, and after washing and drying the quarters in a suitable air
current, the external appearance of the test quarters was good, as also the sectioned joints.
More extensive trials are required before any definite opinion can be given ; all that can
be said at present is that the process seems a hopeful one. In all new processes the deciding
factor is the demand for the defrosted meat by the retail butcher ; as yet that has not been
great. It will be observed from the following table that there has been a considerable
increase in the number of sheep carcases found affected with Caseous Lymphadenitis, the
reason being as stated in the above remarks on Argentine meat. It is hoped that the suggestions
made as to an alteration in the method of examination of carcases and offal at the place
• of slaughter will eliminate all imported carcases containing lesion of this ubiquitous disease.
Quarters of Beef. Carcases of Mutton. Quarters of Mutton. Pig Carcases. Sides of Mutton. Pieces
1927. 1928. 1927. 1928. 1927. 1928. 1927. 1928. 1928. 1928.
Abscess — 2 1 3 — — 2 — — —
Caseous — — 71 4,080 10 67 — — 1 5
Lymphadenitis.
Tuberculosis — 3 - - - - - - -
Total —5 72 4,080 10 67 2 — 1 5
New Zealand.—This Dominion exported to Great Britain 22,936 tons of beef, 139,754
tons of mutton and lamb, and 6,083 tons of frozen pork, or 3 per cent. of all beef, 50 per cent.
of all mutton and lamb, and 50 per cent. of the pork. The quality of the lamb and pork
exposed for sale in the Central Markets was, as usual, of a high standard. It will be observed by
the following table that the number of sheep carcases found containing lesions of Caseous Lymphadenitis,
compared with 1927, has increased. Careful tests have been made of sheep carcases
in order to find out the percentage of infection; the result has shown that, while not absolutely
free from disease, the percentage found affected was such that no hold up of consignments
was necessary and that check percentage examination is sufficient. Recommendations
similar to those sent to the other countries were sent to this Dominion.
Legs
Quarters of Beef. Carcases of Mutton. Quarters of Mutton. Pig Carcases. of Pork.
1927. 1928. 1927. 1928. 1927. 1928. 1927. 1928. 1928.
Abscess — — 2 — — — 20 78 6
Caseous Lymphadenitis — — 94 102 27 22 — — —
Pleurisy — — — — — — — 2 —
Pseudo Leukaemia — — 1 — — — — — —
Sarcoma — — 1 — — — — — —
Tuberculosis — 1 — — — — — — —
Total — 1 98 102 27 22 20 80 6
Chili.—In the report for 1927 mention was made as to the number of sheep carcases
found to contain lesions of the disease Caseous Lymphadenitis and the steps taken by the
importers to have carcases examined at the place of slaughter in Chili. When the new season's
consignments arrived a careful examination was made of a number of the carcases, in order
to check the value of the inspection in the country of origin; this showed that the whole
of the carcases were not free from lesions, and it was necessary to hold the consignments
in cold storage until they had been examined; the result will be seen in the following table.
Investigation into the reason for carcases which contained lesions having been passed showed
conclusively that it was due to the method of examination at the places of slaughter, and
this applies to all the countries from which mutton and lamb is imported, viz., that reliance
had previously been placed on the palpation of the regions in which are situated the superficial
inguinal (or supra-mammary, in females), precrural and prescapular lymph glands.
If lesions firm and chronic were present, they could be detected by this method of examination,
but if the contents of the lesions were soft or purulent, and surrounded by a considerable
amount of fatty tissue, then such lesions were not discovered. The remedy is obvious :
all the six lymph glands must be incised at the places and time of slaughter, and a further
weakness in the method of inspection strengthened, viz., the retention of the viscera identifiable
with each carcase until the examination has been completed. Recommendations to
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