PIG MARKETING

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3180, 21 May 1932, Page 6

PIG MARKETING

THE DEMAND IN GREAT BRITAIN. While efforts are being made in various parts of New Zealand to develop the pork and bacon industry, and especially the exporting part of the business, it is interesting to note the points made by a correspondent of the Glasgow Herald of April Bth: "Noticing some discussion as to whether the Government should put a tariff on or adopt a quota for all imported pigs,' and also the views of some Scottish representatives on this subject, I consider one of the most important aspects of this question has been missed. " The question I refer to is the proper and most particular " veterinary inspection " of all live pigs, pig carcases, pig products, ham, bacon, and offals at all our ports of importation. "Besides being stamped or marked clearly with their country and district origin and their destination for tracing purposes, everything connected with the pigs and their wrapping and covering should be carefully examined and thoroughly disinfected or burned. " The pigs' carcases, hams, and offals should be carefully examined before being allowed to proceed, and tests should be made as to their soundness and freedom from contagious and infectious diseases. " Their soundness for human food also must be tested, and if they are found unfit the carcases should be destroyed at the port of importation. " If this inspection by properly qualified veterinary surgeons were carried out at all our ports we would have less swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease in this country in the future. "We have suffered very heavily in animals and expenses in past years and, in my opinion, Continental animal imports and wrappings, where both swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease exist, must be held to be responsible till they clear these countries of these diseases. " We run a great risk from all imported animals, dead or alive, and their products. " Let us in future see to it that we lessen such risks and protect our home animals and animal industries."