BONELESS VEAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 185, 8 August 1927, Page 9

BONELESS VEAL.

CALVES A DAY OLD.

NEW SOURCE OF PROFIT.

LOCAL OPINIONS DIVIDED

Opinion is divided concerning the practice of many New Zealand, freezing companies killing day-old calves at their works and exporting the meat to the Home markets. Because certain works which operated with this trade last year under special permit from the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. O. J. Hawken) made a small profit, a good deal of encouragement was given to other farmers' organisations and business syndicates to follow their example.

According to a well-known Auckland business man, who discussed the situation with a "Star" representative this morning, a number of concerns cabled London asking for bide for this "immature,' veal, and also their London houses to secure definite guarantees from the British Health authorities that they would not reject the meat on its discharge in London. This rather drew the attention of the British Vetinary and Health authorities to the existence of an industry in New Zealand of which they were to a large extent ignorant. The British authorities were by no means willing to allow this immature veal to be foisted on to the British consumers. The result was that the Birtish Government notified the New Zealand Government that the meat would not be admitted. Special Packing Wanted. However, pressure was brought to bear through the High Commissioner, and the following cable has been distributed throughout the country by the Agricultural Department:—

"Regarding boneless veal, cablegram now received from High Commissioner states that as result oi his representations boneless veal will be regarded as admissible but subject to inspection on its merits for last six montas of present calendar year subject to following conditions: Firstly, if good, it will be passed out, if not, it will be rejected. Secondly, it must be packed in a special manner and great care is necessary on this point. In addition, it will be required that calves must be not less than three days old, and they must have been properly fed the whole time iiom birth and well nourished. Details of method of packing required will be forwarded later, aud inspectors advised regarding them.'

"1 understand," added the informant, "that the Minister of Agriculture definitely promised the British authorities that no carcases would be shipped unless well nourished and three days old. Then, of course, this young veal, which iv a doubtful proposition in the eyes of the British authorities, must be inspected by them on arrival before being released for consumption. A Pathetic Sight. "\ arious xictzing worivo iu New iw iand are now opeiating largely m this uade, but most of the calves arc gouiiiirougn under three days old. The porcentaye that has received nourishment is so- smalt as to be almost negligible, ihe young animals are being tramsporteu to tne works by railroad or motor truck, lud they present a pathetic sight after Uicy are joited over tne rough roaus oi the Waikato. Many of them are unable to stand, and are trampled on by the older calves. Their age is oiily too apparent by their appearance. In some tuses the calves are taken from their mothers before they have beeu cleaned. Emaciated and Unfed. "To the observant, it is apparent that most of the calves are being delivered in an emaciated condition. During a trip through the Waikato last week, 1 questioned a number of farmers as to whether the calves they were sending forward had been fed, and they treated the question as a joke. The majority of farmers are taking the calves away from their mothers as soon as they are born. The average weight of these calves is between 251b and 301b, whereas, for New Zealand consumption, they have to be 001b dressed weight.

"The Minister of Agriculture has observed that the food laws at Home are not as stringent as in the Dominion. Why then do we have to be so careful with the inspection of our meat and lamb':" The informant concluded by alluding to the detrimental effect this trading in immature calves is likely to have on Now Zealand's meat market from a competitive point of view.

The latter figure was made up ot wages, fuel, railage, and other expenses. Thus, the amount distributed through the district would be approximately £75,000, as against about one-third of the amount for skins alone. The Home authorities, pointed out Mr. Simpson, had already had 12 months' experience of the industry, and the veterinary department of the Agricultural Department, together with the British authorities, had laid down stringent regulations in respect to the inspection of tITe meat. "There is no good reason why this meat should not be exported, when the Home authorities know what they are getting, and their Health Department has been going into the matter with our Agricultural Department," he added, in explaining that over 8 per cent of the calves treated at the Horotiu works were rejected by the inspector.