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(2) The diseased condition, Onchocerciasis, is not peculiar to
Australian cattle, but occurs also in other animals and in various
parts of the world, including the United States of America.
(3) The parasites belong to a group of worms that require to be
taken up by a biting insect, and to undergo a certain degree of
development therein before they can be transmitted to another warmblooded
animal.
(4) The worms and their young do not appear to be capable of
surviving for more than a few hours the death of the cattle. No evidence
of vitality of the worm or its embryo has been met with in the case
of Australian beef reaching this country.
(5) From (3) and (4) above, it follows that the direct development of
the parasite in man as a result of eating the affected meat is impossible.
(6) The nodules are the product of changes taking place in the tissues
as a result of some acrid toxin excreted by the worms. In my opinion
their presence in meat intended for human consumption is undesirable for
this reason.
Dr. Leiper considers it important not to minimise the objections, which
must on other grounds be taken to meat affected by this parasite. Certain
parasites present in meat food are of a dangerous communicable character, and
it would be very undesirable to encourage any attitude of indifference towards
the presence of any parasitic conditions in meat. There can, moreover, be no
question that meat affected by Onchocerciasis must be classed as "unsound";
both the worms and the local inflammatory products which result from
this invasion are foreign to sound meat, and are objectionable to the meat
consumer.
I append herewith a copy of a report, which has been forwarded to me by
the High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia:—
Uniformity of Standard in respect of Carcase Meat for Export.
The Conditions under which Briskets might be allowed to be Exported.
As regards the disposal of Briskets we consider that any Brisket
(from a carcase passed as otherwise free from disease) proved by
searching examination on the lines indicated below to contain no worm
nests, should be approved for corning or canning for export.
While any Brisket (from a carcase otherwise free from disease) in
which, after searching examination, three or four nodules only have been
found might reasonably be approved for corning or canning after
complete removal of the part containing the nodules, we consider that as
a matter of policy it may be advisable, in view of the present ferment
of opinion in Great Britain, none of those Briskets should be allowed to
be treated for export. The position in this regard should, however, be
reviewed in twelve months.