BRITISH MEAT IMPORTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 302, 22 December 1933, Page 9

BRITISH MEAT IMPORTS

COMMITTEE’S REPORT. MARKING RECOMMENDED. LONDON, Dec. 20. The Ministry of Agriculture’s Standing Committee on Meat recommends an Ordcr-in-Council prohibiting the importation of chilled beef, frozen mutton, lamb, and pork, unless it bear an indication of its origin. It is recommended that chilled beef be branded and stamped with ink or stain in a continuous series of words in letters not less than half an inch in height on the outside on each side in three columns extending longitudinally practically the whole length of the the side. Frozen mutton and pork must have four marks on each side in halfinch letters. The committee considers that the marking of frozen beef and veal is unnecessary. It suggests that the marking of containers of boneless meat will be sufficient. The committee state that it is satisfied that the substitution of a cheaper article for tho higher-priced homo or Empire product takes place to a substantial extent, and therefore some form of marking of the origin of imported .meat is desirable in thc public interests. “It is only fair to state that we are satisfied on the evidence that substitution is not practised by importers and wholesale traders, and that retail traders are aware of the origin of thc article they are paying for.” Regarding tho Australian and New Zealand suggestion that marking would slow down tho output, tho evidence in support of those statements was too vague in its general character to be convincing.