EXPORTS TO BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20363, 18 September 1929, Page 9

EXPORTS TO BRITAIN.

"FISHY" FLAVOURED PORK.

GRAVE POSITION ARISES.

WHOLE TRADE IMPERILLED.

Serious complaints of a "fishy" flavour in New Zealand pork shipped to the United Kingdom have bean received by tho New Zealand Meat Producers' Board from its London manager, who has advised that unless the fault is remedied the whole trade will bo ruined. At a meeting of the executive of the Auckland provincial branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union last evening, a letter was received from tho. board stating the position and also enclosing extracts from the London manager's reports.

The board was first advised, under date April 5, that complaints had been iecoived of pork from one works. On May 2 the manager advised that other complaints had been received from different sources and wero not confined to pigs from one particular works. Later it was advised that, four buyers had definitely refused to buy New Zealand pigs, owing to trouble with customers regarding tho "fishy" flavour. Action Imperative.

Tho manager wrote on July 8 that ho had received strong complaints from many large curers and the complaints concerned practically all New Zealand works. Stressing the serious nature of the position the board's representative said it was imperative thAt sorno action should be taken. Under dato July 12 tho manager advised tho board of steps he had taken to have tho causes investigated. There was somo difficulty in this, as such complaints had never been received in previous seasons. Ho stated tho fault was difficult to trace in England, as it was considered to bo due to feeding. Export Advice Sought.

The board's letter stated: "Having regard to the seriousness of this matter the board has been in communication with tho low-temperature research station at Cambridge, England, and also with the New Zealand departments of Agriculture and Scientific and Industrial Research, with the object of making inquiries in an endeavour to locato the cause of the trouble. The latest cablegram received from our London office advisos that Dr. II .E. Callow, of the Cambridge low-temperature station, has investigated some complaints and is now analysing both bacon and pork. He reports that the fat smells tallowy and tho bacon, when cooked, has a 'fishy' flavour, which appears to arise from feeding. The Use of Whale Oil. "The quality of our pork has been gen erally very favourably commented upon by tho trade in the United Kingdom and as an export trade in pork is now being further developed it would bo needless to point out the imperative need for every effort to be made to eliminate complaints of such a nature." . The serious tone of the board's letter was commented upon by members and it was staled there was a possibility of the whole trade being undermined. Tho secretary, Mr. A. E. Robinson, said lis bad been asked to make inquiries and ho considered the trouble was due to the feeding of pigs on whale oil, which was purchased 'as a substitute for calf food.

It w; j* decided to write to the Agriculture Department urging-that immediate investigations should be carried out.

SHOKTAGE OP SUPPLIES.

STEADY MARKET REPORTED.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN COKUESFOSDENT HAMILTON, Tuesday.

The secretary of the New Zealand Cooperative Pig-Marketing Association stated to-day that during the last month very few pigs had come to hand. lie said this was ono of the slackest periods of tho season, and it was difficult to meet demands. The association could have sold many hundreds of pigs had supplies been available. The markets for both porkers nnd baconcrs were maintaining a steady price, and prospects looked very bright for the coming season.

All pools up to No. 12 had been completed. It was anticipated before long to bo able to complete the balance of tho season's pools, Numbers 13 and 14, which would end tho scason'a- operations.