MARKING OF HEAT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20706, 2 May 1929, Page 6

MARKING OF HEAT.

INDELIBLE INK. BRITISH. GOVEEHMENT SOHEI,. (Pbom Our Own Corekspondekt.) LONDON, March 21. . It is reported, though not officially,that the Ministry of Agriculture is preparing a scheme for applying the National Mark, to British meat. According to the Daily k Express the meat will be 'marked with., a special ink that is non-poisonous. and - cannot be rubbed off. A long time has" been spent in experimenting to find an ink that is suitable, the kind that'willbe used is guaranteed to be entirely harm* ; less, end will leave no taint after cooking,; It will be put on by means of a rubber roller that is run along the full jengtlrof the carcass so that no joint can be'' cut that does not bear an imprint of a portion of the National Mark. >' - . _lt is also' reported that only ’“ Prime ' Quality" will be branded. It is hoped.’ that the effect will be not only to prevent imported frozen meat masquerading r ; as British, hut also to put an end to the selling of second quality meat from superannuated English cows and bulls which’ has brought many complaints from housewives, and done much damage to the market for the British producer of prime quality home-grown meat. Whether this scheme is to be voluntary on the.part of the meat vendors or compulsory is not stated. The trade hitherto have always been against disfiguring - a carcass even with a small ink brand. How much more unsightly will be a brand similar^to a postage stamp canceller exr tending the whole length of a carcass! Will the consumers put up with it isanother question. Mr R. S. Forsyth (European hianager ?u , Zealand Meat Board) thinks, that if this system comes into-force the’ Dominion will Have to follow suit. At present, he says, a good deal of New Zealand lamb is sold as home-killed, which', of course, is not a disadvantage to the producers. On the other hand ; a gooddeal of South American mutton and lamV is sold as New Zealand sometimes as a > definite and punishable offence, but probably more often to customers who have' only a vague Idea of the differences of" quality, and who do not definitely ask for JSew Zealand produce. Since the marking order came into force the practiceof substitution has not been so bad, but it is still a matter which needs attention. Air JJorsyth has. had several successfulprosecutions during the past year r - On the whole Mr Forsyth thinks New' Zedand would benefit if they adopted file - system of marking with, ink in the same; way that it is proposed to stamp. British first quality meat. i v “! can-see a great many advantages In : the system,” he said. « The public would ’ mow definitely that they were eatini New Zealand meat. The absence of sum a mark is one o( the great difficulties we nave to face m our advertising work." ’ '