Concern At Effects Of Hormone-Treated Beef

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28414, 22 October 1957, Page 16

Concern At Effects Of Hormone-Treated Beef

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 21. Housewives who attended a conference in Aberdeen on experiments .with hormone treatment of beef cattle expressed fears that unless scientists ended such experiments, they might turn Britain into a nation of vegetarians. Mrs Elizabeth Pettulo, secretary of the Scottish Housewives’ Association, said that in America, where this business had been going on for sevqn or eight years, they were investigating the longterm effect meat so treated could have on sterility and deformity on consumers.

Mrs Helen Ratray, the association president, said it seemed obvious that if scientists continued with all such additives to everyday food, there must be some effect on the consumer in the long run. Several other speakers emphasised the need for national authorities to provide some sort of guidance for scientists, farmers and the public on the question of the hormone treatment of beef cattle.

Dr. I. L. Dodsworth, a lecturer in agriculture, said it had been found that the treatment of steers with hexoestrol produced an extra liveweight gain of 30 to 501 b and this extra live or carcase weight was valued at up to £5. which was obtained for an outlay of 4d. when the 60 milligrams maximum dose of hexo estrol was implanted. He added: "On balance. I think the farmer should still approach the matter with some caution until the authorities con-

corned have stated clearly and concisely that there will be no long-term ill-effects on the consumer. To date, this has only been done by default in that the sale of hexoestrol is freely p er . mitted both as implants and in treated feeding cake. I think however, that those who are qualified to speak should do so at an early date so that we know whether or not to advise farmers they can, with full confidence. g 0 ahead with this method of treating beef steers.” The meeting, which was attended by 300 persons from places as far apart as London and Orkney expressed the opinion that the question of human hazards, if any in the consumption of hexoesttoltreated meat, should be recommended for investigation by the Medical Research Council.