MEAT REJECTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 15, 11 April 1947, Page 7

MEAT REJECTED

NEW ZEALAND BONELESS BEEF

The General'Manager of the New Zealand Meat Producers Board advises that an investigation into the rejection of a consignment of New Zealand boneless beef by Bristol Butchers reveals the following facts:— (1) The beef was all or part of a consignment of 431 bags of boneless beef ex the Southdown Freezing Works and shipped direct to Bristol on, the “Port Huon.” (2) The major proportion of this consignment was F.A.Q. Cow Beef which I understand is normally used as manufacturing meat in the United Kingdom, the balance being G.A.Q. (3) This consignment was'part of a considerable quantity of meat j which was fire damaged at the Southdown Freezing Works in August last.

(4) All the meat subject to fire damage was inspected by the Board’s Supervising Meat Graders and that which was rejected as unfit for human consumption was disposed of I the digestors. The balance, slightly smoke tainted, was reclassified fit for export and subjected to ozone treatment. (5) On shipment, shipping documents were specially claused as follows: ' “No responsibility for deterioration or damage that may have been caused prior to shipment by fire or smoke including mis-shapen and/or discoloured carcases and torn, dirty and/or missing covers.”

Thus drawing the United Kingdom Ministry of Foods attention to the condition of the meat. Further

the Ministry of Food was advised by air mail and was given copies [ of the surveyors’ reports made prior to shipment. (6) In addition the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Co. Ltd., arranged for its British Agents to inspect and report on the shipment on arrival. Their report read as follows: “This product has been sent into Cold Store for the necessary treatment for removal of any taint. On discharging the meat was found to be only slightly affected with smoke fumes, and we are of the opinion that the meat, after treatment in Cold Store will be satisfactory for consumption.”

I From these facts it will be seen that everything possible was done by the shippers at this end to see that the meat was fit for human consumption on arrival in the United Kingdom. Whether or not’this meat should have been issued as part of the ration cannot be determined here, but the exigencies of the situation at Home no doubt are such that all classes of meat which can be used in the ration are so used. Under the circumstances in which the British Government is placed during this most difficult food shortage period, I feel that we should not attempt to ' dictate conditions of usage. After all, the meat is the property of the United Kingdom Ministry of Food once it is placed aboard ship. I do feel, however, that in cases such as this the United Kingdom Ministry oh Food knowing the circumstances should have taken steps to avoid adverse publicity to New Zealand meat by releasing the fullfacts.