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of slaughter is not suitable for the retention of the carcase and organs
and the notice shall be sent to the local authority of the district to which
the carcase and organs are moved.
Standard for Condemning Meat. For over 30 years the practice
of meat inspection has followed the recommendations given in the
Ministry of Health Memo 62/Foods issued in 1922. This has now been
replaced by Memo 3/Meat of 1952, the provisions of which came into
operation in February, 1953.
The revised memorandum based on the recommendations of the
Interdepartmental Committee on Meat Inspection (1951) introduced changes
to safeguard public health against the dangers associated with the consumption
of meat derived from, or contaminated by contact with, carcases
or offal of animals which were diseased or suffering from an infectious
condition; and recommended examination by laboratory methods where
this is thought to be necessary. Certain modifications were made in the
recommendations about the action to be taken when evidence of disease
is found.
From July to the end of the year, 888 animals were slaughtered at
slaughterhouses in this district. Of these 148 were beasts, 334 pigs,
361 sheep and 45 calves.
All animals slaughtered in the district are inspected. One pig was
found to be suffering from swine fever. By the orders of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries the movement of animals to and from the affected
premises was prohibited. Those pigs on the premises were slaughtered.
27 were found to be affected; the carcases were destroyed.
5,166 lbs. of meat were found unfit for human consumption and
were destroyed.
Disposal of Meat Unfit for Human Consumption. The Livestock
(Restriction on Slaughtering) Order, 1947, placed a statutory
obligation on occupiers of premises to have meat unfit for human consumption
stained before it left the premises. This order is now repealed
though it is hoped that the practice of staining such meat will continue.
It is an offence under Section 9 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, for
any person to sell or have in his possession for sale any food which is
intended for, but is unfit for, human consumption. Meat and offal at
slaughterhouses which is rejected has to be disposed of in a way which
does not contravene the provisions of that section. Before the war
condemned meat was disposed of by burning in the furnace of the disinfecting
plant. There was no problem during the war years as so little
use was made of the local slaughterhouses. Before these again came
into use the arrangements at the disinfecting plant had changed and the
boiler was not in operation all day. Arrangements were therefore made
for the incineration of condemned meat at the furnace at the incineration
plant of the Wembley Corporation at a charge of 35s. per ton subject
to a minimum charge of five shillings.
Circular MF.21/53 of the Ministry of Food sets out the treatment
to which meat and offal in slaughterhouses which are unfit for human
consumption shall be subjected. In addition to such conditions as ma)
be imposed by a local authority in the exercise of its statutory powers