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Adequate experience of the trade and co-operation with its representatives has contributed
towards a relatively complete understanding at operational level, while the provision of a suitably
equipped meat examination centre for detailed investigation and reconditioning within the
premises of a large cold store has added considerably to the overall efficiency of the inspection
service, allowing both detention and treatment of the meat inside the same building.
The amenities of the examination centre are particularly helpful and the efficiency enhanced
by the employment of skilled butchers to assist under the supervision of the port health inspectors.
This innovation is apparently unique in any port health meat inspection service and enjoys
the blessing of all concerned. Its real value can hardly be assessed, but records of activities in
the Royal Docks alone indicate that the number of official detentions for the separate years
1955-56-57 has doubled and the amount of unsound meat seized as unfit for human consumption
has risen from 85 tons to 259 tons in the year 1957. In addition to the examination aspect of the
work, large quantities of carcase meat are detained from time to time until they have been reconditioned
at this centre and other suitable premises within the Docks under the direct supervision
of the port health inspectors.
The greater burden of the meat inspection service must naturally fall to the lot of the Inspectors
at the Royal Docks where most ofthe meat is imported.
The field of meat inspection is not confined to dockside inspection nor to the more detailed
examination at the centre. Comprehensive control must include sanitary aspects of transport and
handling, occasional chemical tests and organised bacteriological investigations, all of which
are vital if meat is to be passed as free from disease, sound, wholesome and fit for human consumption.
Anything short of this standard is rejected and temporarily detained for destruction,
animal feeding or industrial processing by permission of and directly or indirectly under the
supervision of the Port Medical Officer.
There is an increasing need at times for improved and direct sanitary control during transport
and handling at the Docks and this will be the more difficult to achieve without adequate legislation.
MEAT LANDED TO COLD STORES IN THE ROYAL DOCKS FROM VESSEL IN COLLISION
On the 24th August, 1957, the s.s. "Sydney Star" arrived in the Royal Docks with a cargo of
meat in No. 1 Hold showing signs of being generally mis-shapen, damaged, stained and slightly
tainted, with evidence of slight decomposition of some carcases. The vessel had been involved
in a collision and the meat landed at Cristobal (Panama) where some was re-loaded, some left in
store for shipment by a later vessel and the remainder destroyed.
It was known in advance that the vessel was due in London and accordingly your Medical
Officer called a meeting of representatives of all interested parties to decide on a policy for the
inspection and disposal of the cargo.
Some 22,966 carcases of mutton and lamb were removed to No. 7 P.L.A. Cold Store. 2,668
quarters of beef in the cargo after inspection were found to be generally sub-standard due to much
handling and there was slight taint. As is the practice in such circumstances it was agreed that
the major part of the beef be allowed to go for ozoning to approved premises under the supervision
of local Medical Officers of Health whose agreement was obtained.
In view of the very large quantity of mutton and lamb involved it was agreed with the Salvage
Association, acting on behalf of the Importers, to allow the meat to go to 15 approved Cold Store
Depots throughout the country for reconditioning under the supervision of the local Medical
Officers of Health whose agreement was obtained,and who were notified whenever parcels were
released from the dock.
The remainder of the beef and various sundries were found on further inspection to be not
worth reconditioning and accordingly approximately 99 tons were sent for rendering down to your
contractors for the disposal of unsound meats, Messrs. Hen son and Burbidge Ltd.
The last parcel of mutton and lamb for reconditioning was released from the docks in October,
1957.
On 5th September, 1957, it was ascertained that the remainder of the cargo of the "Sydney
Star" weighing approximately 700 tons and consisting of 19,507 carcases of lamb, 7 sides veal,
610 bags boneless beef and 215 hinds and 360 fores frozen beef and 240 hinds and 1,478 fores
chilled beef, would be arriving on the s.s. "Tacoma Star" due in the Royal Docks on 22nd
September, 1957.
A further meeting of representatives of interested parties was called and it was agreed that on
arrival the meat be detained in No. 7 P.L.A. Cold Store and after inspection be dealt with on
similar lines to the meat from the s.s. "Sydney Star". Again the Salvage Association took over
the meat on behalf of the Importers.
After inspection at the Cold Store it was agreed that the meat be disposed of as follows:—
Lambs and frozen beef and veal, including boneless beef, to be sent to eleven Cold Store
Depots throughout the country for reconditioning under the supervision of the local Medical
Officers of Health whose agreement was obtained and who were notified when parcels were
released from the dock.
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