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CONTROL OF IMPORTED MEAT INTENDED FOR PET FOOD
In addition to meat intended for sale for human consumption, 22,761 tons of meat (814,888
packages) in various forms intended for pet food entered the Port during the year. Adequate supervision
of the disposal of such large quantities of meat for pet food is a major problem and brings
into question the adequacy of the measures currently enforceable under the Meat (Staining and
Sterilization) Regulations 1960.
Imported "pet meat" may include meats which are not subject to any form of inspection at
the time of slaughter and meats which on inspection at the time of slaughter have been condemned.
It is, therefore, a potential health hazard and careful measures to control its use are
essential.
All consignments of "pet meat" arriving at the docks are subject to scrutiny and control
and then allowed forward, under various safeguards, to pet food traders either for sale in a raw
state or to be sterilized in a manufacturing process according to its condition.
As none of the ultimate users of the meat have premises within the area of this Authority
the control of the disposal of "pet meat" released from the dock is transferred to the appropriate
local authority and it is at this stage that difficulties arise in the maintenance of adequate
supervision. This does not of course imply criticism of any local authority. Complete control
over all the channels of distribution is not possible. Staff cannot be allocated to undertake
detailed daily supervision of stocks or maintain surveillance over the movement of meat through
cold stores, processors, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers especially as each of these
may be situated in areas of different local authorities.
The inadequacies of the present Regulations are recognised by the Ministries of Health,
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as well as by the local authorities and the Regulations are now
being revised. In reconsidering the problem it appears that the difficulties of control and risks
of misuse could be overcome if all pet meat were to be sterilized prior to importation or distribution
but this suggestion is not wholly acceptable as pet food canners require considerable
quantities of meat in its raw state.
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