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The representatives of the shipping companies pointed out that the difficulties met with during
the discharge of meat carcases were many, but they endeavoured to co-operate fully with the Port
Health Authority. There were many difficulties connected with the lack of transport and the provision
of adequate cold storage and transport in the docks for meat not immediately required.
They further suggested that it would be advisable to consult jointly with meat importers since
they could assist in the working out of a policy for regulating the meat discharge and deliveries
from the docks.
The Port of London Authority representative dealt in some detail with the Port of London
Authority's Cold Storage problems, pointing out that cold storage facilities were already overtaxed
and it was uot possible to accept any more meat than at present. The regular flow of meat imports
into the docks was now being considered at a high level.
Your Worshipful Committee did have power under the Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924,
to deal with the insanitary conditions in the transport and handling of meat in the docks, but
these regulations have recently been revoked and it is understood that new regulations to cover
these will shortly be issued by the Ministry concerned. In this connection your Medical Officer
has already submitted to the Ministries concerned the following draft of what he considers to be
desirable requirements in any new regulations:
(1) Every person who conveys or causes to be conveyed any meat in a vehicle:—
(a) shall cause the vehicle to be kept clean; and in a manner to prevent the contamination
of the meat ^t the time of loading and during transit;
(b) shall cause all refrigerated meat to be conveyed in insulated vehicles;
(c) shall not permit any live animal to be conveyed in the vehicle at the same time as the
meat.
(2) A person engaged in the handling or transport of meat:—
(a) shall not permit any part of the meat to come into contact with the ground; and
(b) shall take all necessary steps to guard against the contamination of the meat by flies;
and shall cause the meat to be so handled as to prevent mud, filth, or other contaminating
substance being splashed or blown thereon; and shall take such other precautions
as are reasonably necessary to prevent exposure of the meat to contamination; and
(c) shall cause all articles (tables, landing nets, bogies and hand barrows, etc.) used in
connection with the discharge from ships, to be thoroughly cleansed after use, and to
be kept at all times in a cleanly condition; and
(d) shall cause all persons engaged in carrying meat such as chilled meat which is insufficiently
protected against contamination, to wear a clean and washable head and
shoulder covering.
Pending the issue of the new regulations your Officers will continue to do all they canto ensure
that, as far as possible, adequate precautions are taken in the docks to protect the meat from
abuse.
At the time of writing this report no new regulations have been issued and while your Inspectors
are doing all they can to improve the conditions by implementing the above recommendations,
they find their hands tied by the fact that they are unable to produce supporting regulations.
Your Medical Officer proposes to call a further conference of interested parties when the lines
of the new regulations are determined.
INSPECTION OF IMPORTED BEEF LIVERS
During 1955 your Medical Officer reported on a proposed re-organisation of meat inspection at
the Royal Docks consequent upon the gradual handing back of all imported meat by the Ministry of
Food to private importers and at the same time pointing out that this change of policy would
greatly add to the responsibilities of your Officers on the docks.
Arising out of this report your Worshipful Committee appointed two additional qualified Health
Inspectors, one of whom was posted to the Royal Dock Group to carry out meat inspection at the
"Meat Inspection Shop'generously provided and equipped by the Port of London Authority at No. 6
Cold Store, Royal Albert Dock.
It would, therefore, seem opportune to report the results of a concentrated survey that has been
made over the past twelve months in connection with the inspection of imported meat and meat
offals that has resulted in the destruction of many tons of beef livers and in measures being taken
in the packing establishments abroad to ensure a more thorough inspection of livers prior to
exportation.
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