Results Of Tests On Beef Awaited

Press, Volume C, Issue 29511, 12 May 1961, Page 14

Results Of Tests On Beef Awaited

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, May 11. Steps which the Department of Agriculture may take to prevent a recurrence of DJD.T. and benzene hexachloride contamination of export beef must depend on the results of tests being made into the source of contamination of recent shipments to the United States. The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Hayman) said tonight that tests now being made at the WaHaceville laboratories by the department had not yet produced firm conclusions.

Asked if he considered that the Agricultural Chemicals Act and the Fertilisers Act provided for suitable remedies for contamination of meat by insecticides, Mr Hayman said both Acts gave the Government power to make regulations if present powers proved insufficient. He said that remedial steps must depend on the source of contamination, which was not yet known.

"I would regret to have to take stricter powers.” said Mr Hayman, "but if it is in the public interest I would have no option but to do so.” He said he bad not received any further report of fly spray residues being found in beef shipments to the United States, nor had there been any complaint of insecticide residues being found in butter. Tolerance A puzzling feature of the D.D.T. contamination is that the American authorities permit seven parts in a million while the New Zealand authorities permit only five parts in a million in meat sold for consumption in New. Zealand. In spite of this stricter provision, the Health Department has no evidence that the tolerance is being exceeded in meat sold for consumption in this country. The Director General of Agriculture (Mr P. W. Smallfield) said that the Agricultural Chemical® Act, 1959, gave the Agricultural Chemicals Board powers as far as the farm use of chemicals was concerned.

The Fertilisers Act, 1960, however, did not come into force until next month. The Agricultural Chemicals Board had been working this year on proposals for the control of chemicals used with fertilisers, and appropriate action would be taken as soon as the act came into force.

Questioned about the use of dieldrin sheep dip, Mr Smallfleld said that the Stock Remedies Board had already given notice that the sale of this dip would be prohibited from a date later this year. A spokesman for the department said tonight that if all traces of D.D.T. were to be eliminated, then it would be necessary to remove all fat from the meat, which would be impracticable.

He warned housewives that if fly sprays had to be used they should follow the standard procedure of putting under safe cover all foodstuffs before spraying, and either covering all surfaces likely to come in contact with food, or washing them down after the spray had settled. Discussions

The Press Association reports that today Mr Hayman had long discussions with representatives of meat export companies and the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board on the suspected contamination.

Mr Hayman gave the representatives latest reports on current negotiations in Washington by the Department of Agriculture's deputy Direc-tor-General (Dr. I. J. Cun. ningham) and the Meat Board’s general manager (Mr J. W. de Gruchy). They are having talks with officials of the meat inspection division of the United States Department of Agri, culture.

Mr Hayman said no finality had yet been reached in these talks.

Earlier today, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) at a press conference confirmed that signs of D.D.T. had been found in tests on New Zealand beef held up by United States meat inspectors. New York inspectors Impounded a beef shipment on the Haparangi. Traces of D.D.T. are also reported to

have been found in a shipment landed last month from the Patagonia Star. Reports are expected soon on tests of a shipment in the Monterey which has just reached the Pacific coast of the United States. Mr Smallfleld denied a report that all beef shipments from New Zealand to the United States had been suspended. Mr Smallfield said that traces of D.D.T. and benzene hexachloride found in some meat shipments were not dangerous and would not taint the meat.