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A concession to importers of foreign pig carcases had been in operation since 4th
November, 1915, permitting them to export any foreign pig carcase presenting only
tuberculous glands in the neck, those parts which on examination had been found to
be free from obvious tubercle. This was a departure from the former practice and
for reasons which are now apparent, is unworkable. These, at best doubtful,
re-examined carcases accumulated in the dock stores to the number of 245, on
February 1st, pending information from the importers of details as to shipment. On
the 14th January I gave permission for certain carcases to be exported. Following
up this exportation I found they were exported, but not as cargo. On the 2nd
February I was asked to permit export from Liverpool. On my making it clear that
export meant export as cargo, and that guarantee and evidence of this would be required,
the request was withdrawn. Later a representative of one of the importers asked that
a large number of these pigs should be allowed to go as ship's stores. This request
was of course refused. Notice was then given to all importers interested in carcases
which had been seized and placed under order for export, that time up to February 28th
would be given them to make and submit arrangements for genuine export of this
accumulation of doubtful meat, and that any of the meat not exported by that date
would be destroyed in accordance with the Foreign Meat Regulations.
Article VII. (2) of the Foreign Meat Regulations, runs as follows :—
"Where, in pursuance of Article VI., a notice has been given by the
Sanitary Authority with respect to any foreign meat, and within the time
specified in the notice the Sanitary Authority have received such a written
undertaking as is described in the notice to the effect that the importer will at
his own expense export the meat, and within three days after the receipt by the
Sanitary Authority of the undertaking the importer fails to export the meat,
the Sanitary Authority shall cause the meat to be destroyed under the supervision
of the Medical Officer of Health." .
In view of the certainty that the sale of this meat for ship's stores was
contemplated, the concession has been withdrawn and the Regulations are now being
strictly adhered to.
The s.s. "Highland Loch," from Buenos Ayres, arrived in the Port of London on
the 16th January last. Included in the cargo were 813 pig carcases which were
submitted to the usual examination by your Inspectors, who found 22 of them affected
with tuberculosis. The heads were removed from the carcases and destroyed, and the
carcases were split along the backbone throughout the whole length and placed in the
Victoria Dock Cold Store for further examination.
In accordance with the provisions of the Public Health (Foreign Meat) Regulations,
1908, Articles III. (5) and IV. (1), on the 31st January a notice was served
upon the consignees forbidding the removal of the 22 carcases from the store for
any purpose other than exportation. The notice required by the Public Health
(Foreign Meat) Regulations, 1908, Article IV., signed by the Town Clerk, was also
served upon the consignees on the 1st February.
On the 2nd February the consignees acknowledged the receipt of the latter notice
and gave a written undertaking that "Everything contained in your notice will be
duly complied with and that we will only dispose of the pigs by exporting them from the
country, and with your permission." Notwithstanding this, on the 15th February the
consignees removed the 22 pig carcases from the dock store to their stall in the Central
General Market Annexe, where most of them were disposed of. I asked them for an