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THE MEAT (STERILIZATION) REGULATIONS 1969
During the year 152,877 packages of horsemeat amounting to some 4,500 tons was imported
through the Royal Group of Docks from South American countries and 366 packages, nearly 20
tons, were imported through Tilbury Dock in a container from Russia.
In addition there were 75,640 packages of other animal offals, amounting to 2,000 tons, imported
from New Zealand through the Royal Docks.
Meat which was not marked as required by the above Regulations was detained and marked
before it was allowed to leave the Dock.
MEAT REJECTED BY U.S.A.
During the year some 58,500 packages of meats of Commonwealth origin, estimated to be
1,700 tons, which had been refused entry into the United States, were detained at London Cold
Stores pending the result of the inspection to.f samples at the Authority's Port Health "Z" shed
meat examination centre.

In addition there were 16 additional importations of liquid edible lard in freight container
tanks from Scandanavia and in ship deep tanks from New Zealand amounting to some 700 tons.
THE FOOD HYGIENE (DOCKS, CARRIERS, ETC.) REGULATIONS, 1960
The sophisticated and modern practices, including containerisation, now generally applied
to the packaging of food have considerably reduced the risk of contamination of food during
transit, discharge and delivery. The risk of contamination during carriage of carcase meat in conventional
refrigerated holds of ships and its discharge still remain. However, there has been a
gradual diminution of this problem due to the trend towards packaged boneless meat.
Constant supervision during discharge to ensure the cleanliness of quays and cargo handling
equipment is a matter of routine.
Vehicles used for the carriage of carcase meat are now generally of modern design and con?
struction. The larger transport companies also operate an acceptable system for routine cleansing.
During 1972 a total of 6,197 inspections were recorded which resulted in 293 vehicles receiving
additional cleansing at the loading banks, and a further 101 vehicles being rejected for complete
cleansing.
Protective clothing is issued to personnel engaged in carcase meat handling and the provision
by the Port of London Authority of an increasing number ofamenity blocks of a very high standard
has greatly enhanced the existing washing and toilet facilities available to port workers.
Following the closure of the P.L.A. No. 6 Cold Store at the end of 1971, facilities for the
continuation of routine detailed inspection of imported meat had to be provided. This was accomplished
by the modification of the existing chilled meat examination room at "Z" Berth Royal
Victoria Dock. A thawing block (12 ft. x 5 ft. x 3 ft.) was constructed complete with infra-red
heaters overhead in place of the existing steel topped tables.
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