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were applied. These were carried out in March, June, September and December, and an average
of 390 sewer manholes, with the exception of the June control, were poison baited. The annual
overall test results achieved by the previous treatments were applied prior to the June control
when a total of 391 manholes were non-poison test baited. These non-poison baits, which in
effect act as pre-baits, were left down for two days, and when on examination were found to be
taken, replaced by poison bait. The overall result was 6.6% complete "takes". The comparable
test result of the three previous years, 1961-1963, was 17.6%, 11.6% and 8.9% respectively.
This system of sewer rat control instituted in the City in 1950, using Sodium Fluoroacetate,
and followed by Fluoroacetamide, has in recent years been adopted by many local authorities
throughout the country with extremely satisfactory results, as set out in Technical Circular, No.11
October, 1964, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
To summarize, the degree of rat infestation in the City is at the present time the lowest yet
recorded, with emphasis on the vastly diminished status of Ship (Black) rat which a few years
ago was the dominant infestation.
MEAT AND FOOD INSPECTION - SMITHFIELD MARKET
During the year 354,088 tons of meat, poultry etc., were delivered into Smithfield Market, a
decrease of 31,249 tons compared with 1963. This was due to a shortage of imports from Argentina
but the total of seizures increased by 9 tons.
Consignments from Yugoslavia during the year increased but owing to the warm summer it
resulted in an increase of seizures for bacterial spoilage by 105 tons.
The new Meat Regulations which came into force on 1st October, 1963, require that all
meat shall be examined, and if passed, be stamped by the local authority. It will be noted that of
the 1,498 diseased items which were stamped by local authorities 41% of the stamp markings
were illegible, mainly due to the stamps that were used being made from rubber and not metal, and
out of a total of 2,029 diseased items 26% were not stamped by local authorities.
The first consignment of chilled beef arrived in Snithfield Market from Poland on the 10th
December, 1964. It is very much like the Yugoslavian beef and after overcoming the usual teething
troubles it will be difficult to tell one from the other.
FOOD HYGIENE (GENERAL) REGULATIONS, 1960 & 1962
Transport and Handling of Meat
The following report has been received from Mr. D.R. Bernhardt the officer appointed to
enforce the provisions of these Regulations in regard to transport and handling of meat.
Stalls
The stalls in Smithfield Market still maintain a good standard of cleanliness.
Meat Transport
The carrier company vans have been maintained to a good standard of cleanliness throughout
the year, any defects being remedied immediately. Railway transport has improved and contact
with the railway goods supervisor in the Smithfield Depot, when dirty meat has arrived, has enabled
containers to be isolated, and any necessary repairs and cleansing has been carried out immediately
on return to the railway cleansing department.
Trucks
The standard of cleanliness has been maintained.
V ans
The private butchers vans have been well maintained but vehicles used by foreign cafe and
restaurant proprietors show a very poor standard of cleanliness. Thirty five warning letters have
been sent for infringements of the regulations and one prosecution resulted in the proprietor being
fined.
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