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PUBLIC HEALTH (MEAT) REGULATIONS, 1924.
Smithfield Market.—Transport (a) Carriers.—The condition of the vehicles owned
by the carriers at Smithfield Market is more satisfactory, but there is still room for improvement.
The use of back sheets is gradually being discontinued in favour of the more satisfactory
doors. A few carriers still use straw on the floor of their vehicles; this practice
must always be viewed with disfavour, owing to the risk that the straw is dirty or infected
in the uncertainty as to its previous history.
In August a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture visited Smithfield Market
to enquire into the risk of infection of meat by Foot and Mouth Disease during transport
or handling, and expressed his thorough satisfaction with the methods employed for protection
of the meat from infection.
(b) Butchers.—During the year several butchers have purchased new vehicles of a high
standard of efficiency, but some, far from the ideal, are in use; constant supervision will
gradually overcome this difficulty.
The use of private cars for transport is increasing, but is discouraged in view of the
very unsatisfactory conditions under which the meat is handled and packed, often without
any protection against the many sources of contamination which are likely to be met with
in this method of transport. A special cautionary letter is sent to offenders. The small
carrier cycle used by butchers needs supervision because of the negligence displayed by
both the butchers and employees in not covering baskets of meat with clean cloths.
Handling.—(a) Licensed Porters.—The matter of the use of overalls and head coverings
by licensed porters whilst handling meat is somewhat satisfactory; cases of infringement
are usually those of forgetfulness and not wilful intention of ignoring the Regulations.
The licensed porters still resent that the employees of inside stall-holders do not wear
a head covering when carrying meat.
(b) Retail Butchers and their Employees.—With these much supervision is still necessary;
although a plea of ignorance is often made, upon investigation it is found to be negligence
on the part of the employer in not acquainting his employees of the requirements under the
Regulations. This condition is difficult to meet, except by drastic measures.
A matter which is still causing dissatisfaction is the watering or washing down of the
footways during the loading of meat into vehicles; this places the owner of the vehicle at
a disadvantage, in the amount of mud almost inevitably carried into the van by the porter
from the wet pavements.
The question of urination in the roadway alongside meat vehicles is one which would
call for action, but at present we have no power to deal with this evil.
The new refuse-collecting vehicles now in use are a great improvement upon the old type
and have had a good effect upon the general feeling as to cleanliness in and around the Market.
Aldgate Market.—The conditions at Aldgate Market have greatly improved in respect
of the shops and transport, but the careless handling of meat by persons not attired in
overalls and head coverings is met with in spite of repeated cautioning and the exhibition
of notices.
H