MEAT WORKS DEFENDED

Press, Volume C, Issue 29516, 18 May 1961, Page 11

MEAT WORKS DEFENDED

“Meeting New

Needs”

New Zealand’s meat export industry was defended yesterday against criticism that it was doing little to meet the needs of new and changing requirements for meat products. “I have heard it said more than once within recent years that the export industry is doing little to meet the needs of the present situation,” Mr N. H. Law, director of the Meat Industry Research Institute, said at the Lincoln College farmers’ conference. "This is not true. These people should take the trouble to make a few inquiries. They would then realise that some very difficult problems have had to be handled by the industry over the last few years and have been resolved to a large extent in spite of the added difficulty of doing it without reducing throughput. Reviewing significant changes in the last 30 years. Mr Law said that many of them in themselves had been revolutionary. He mentioned the change from sole to chain killing, the development of the chilled beef trade, the introduction of blast freezing, and the development of the boneless beef trade with America. “The standards set by the American importers resulted in the New Zealand industry having to lift their sights.” said Mr Law. “Moisture in the product had to be preserved to maintain appearance, and cleanliness was given first priority. The standard of works hygiene had to be markedly raised, since meat is a very perishable product. Cutting Rooms

“The industry is rapidly becoming aware that properly designed cutting rooms are of vital importance when handling pre-cut meats to prevent shrinkage and spoilage. The time is coming when conditioned rooms for preparing pre-cut meats will be an essential part of each works.

“Few realise the amount of technical effort that has gone into the fabrication of the standard pack for exporting boneless meats, and the physical studies associated with the problem of freezing boneless meat enveloped in plastic and cardboard. The refrigeration capacity at each works has had to be enlarged to cope with the new situation. Industry is becoming increasingly apprecia. tive of the scientific approach. "The fact that little is heard of this trade in the press is indicative that the major headaches have been overcome. Even the elaborate inspection system adopted by the Department of Agriculture, which has proved its value, seldom calls for comment It is only natural that new ventures such as these should be subject to considerable criticism when they are first started. But it is a tribute to the industry that these criticisms have ceased in so short a time.”