STOCK DISEASE

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 11

STOCK DISEASE

MEAT CONDEMNED

BUTCHERS SEEK RELIEF

The butchers of Hamilton have been involved in another development in connection with the outbreak of facial eczema in sheep, states the "New Zealand Herald" of today. Animals that were bought in the saleyards and which were to all appearances free from disease have been condemned by meat inspectors at the Horotiu abattoirs as being affected with eczema, and considerable monetary losses have been suffered. One butcher lost 10 out of 28 carcasses through eczema.

The president of the South Auckland Master Butchers' Association (Mr. W. A. Shattock, of Hamilton) stated today that these losses, which in some cases equalled up to 50 per cent, of' the value of the purchased animals, were too heavy to be borne by the butchers, and to overcome the difficulty the association had telephoned the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin), asking that the Government make arrangements, which would enable the butchers to purchase their requirements from exporters, the idea being that only carcasses passed for the export trade should be procured for the local trade. By this means the supply of meat of the best quality would be maintained. ,

The Minister has replied stating that he would treat the matter as urgent and would further communicate with the association. Mr. Shattock said that the trouble commenced a fortnight ago, when there were occasional condemnations on account of eczema, and that it had become acute during the last few days.