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IMPORTATION OF SWEDISH PIG CARCASES
Early in February reports were received both from the Chief Meat Inspector at Smithfield
Market and the Senior Port Health Inspector that certain indications of disease were being found
in imported Swedish pig carcase meat, and in many instances glands had been removed contrary
to the Public Health (Imported Food) Regulations. Condemnations were necessary in approximately
7% of the carcases inspected.
Specimens submitted to Professor L.P. Garrod at St. Bartholomew's Hospital were reported
upon as showing acid fast bacilli presumed to be tuberculosis, and some corynebacterium equi.
The importers were advised to contact the Swedish Veterinary Authorities regarding the
unsatisfactory condition of shipments of this meat, which resulted in the Chief of the Swedish
Veterinary Services and the Director and Sales Manager of the Swedish pig industry flying to
London on the 5th February.
Arrangements were made for the inspection of the meat by the Swedish officers and a Veterinary
representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, both at Smithfield and at
No. 6 P.L.A. Cold Store.
The diagnosis was confirmed by the Swedish officers who were extremely concerned at the
conditions found, and promised vigorous action would be taken on their return to prevent a
recurrence.
Shipments had been widely distributed but large quantities still remained at Smithfield
Market and in the docks, and in Finsbury, Greenwich and Bermondsey.
At a meeting held in Guildhall on 12th February at which representatives of the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Finsbury, Greenwich and Bermondsey were present, it was
decided that all Swedish pig carcases lying in those areas and within the areas of the Port and
City of London should be placed under immediate detention pending 100% examination. In those
areas in which proper facilities did not exist for or were overtaxed by such examination, it would
be arranged for transfer to No. 6 Cold Store for the necessary inspections to be carried out by
your Port Health Inspectors.
On 19th February a cablegram was received from the Swedish Authorities that cargoes of
frozen pork ex s.s. "Sibaldi", "Velox" and "Clausen" awaiting sailing orders for this country,
had been fully inspected in accordance with criteria arranged at the London meeting on 5th
February.
A subsequent cablegram notified that all shipments leaving Sweden after 15th February had
received thorough examination.
s.s. "Sibaldi" was destined for discharge at Leith and accordingly theM.O.H. Edinburgh was
informed and warned of the conditions found in recent Swedish pork shipments on arrival in
London. The M.O.H. Edinburgh later informed me that the first 50 pig carcases examined showed
no evidence of having been inspected, and tuberculosis had been found in one gland of the 50
examined.
s.s. "Velox" arrived at London on 22nd February and her cargo of 3,303 whole pigs was
landed into Nos. 6 and 7 P.L.A. Cold Stores. Of this consignment 166 carcases were examined
and 35i were found to be diseased. 18% of the submaxillary lymph nodes had not been examined,
and an additional 10% had been removed contrary to the requirements of the Public Health
(Imported Food) Regulations.
s.s. "Clausen" discharged 900 pigs at Palmers Wharf, Greenwich, on 8th March, at the
inspection of which the Swedish Government representatives were again present. The Port
Health Meat Inspectors were also invited to attend this examination. 10% examination resulted
in 4.5% diseased carcases, and in view of the fact that although there was evidence that the
lymph nodes had been examined, this had been inexpertly carried out, and it was therefore decided
that the remainder of the shipment be removed to Smithfield Market for 100% examination,
which resulted in 10% condemnation.
A further shipment of 193 small pig carcases was subjected to a 10% examination at No. 6
Cold Store, and although no disease was found the carcases had not been properly inspected for
export in that the sub maxillary lymph nodes had not been incised.
Two later shipments showed some improvement, but the output of certain meat Establishments
were found to be unduly responsible for the unsatisfactory standard of inspection. Details
of these meat establishments were forwarded to the Swedish Authorities with the result that subsequent
shipments evidenced attainment of a satisfactory standard generally.
SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION OF BECHUANALAND MEAT
The incidence of salmonella contamination of boneless meat imports generally has led to
routine check sampling of such shipments for bacteriological examination in order that contaminated
cargoes may be diverted into the canning factory where the heat process involved would
destroy the organisms.
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