CHILLED MEAT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 349, 9 May 1928, Page 9

CHILLED MEAT

DANGER OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE DISCUSSION IN LORDS (Australian Press Association) Reed. 1.20 p.m. LONDON. Tuesdaj . In the House of Lords to-day Lord Ernie moved that all refrigerated meat from countries where foot-and-mouth disease exists should te placed in cold storage at the port of landing in Brit ain. and not released for sale for -1 days, or a lesser sanctioned period. Lord Ernie said that research showed that the virus of foot-and-mould disease remained in the blood of slaughtered aninialh for 40 days. He suugested that action was necessary to protect flocks and herds. Lord Kylsant, opposing the motion, said that it would be a hardship to the majority of the people, who would have to put up with dearer and Inferior meat Lord Novar said that the proposal required the gravest consideration. Lord Strad broke agreed that the proposal would have to be carefully considered. Experiments showed that the virus of the disease remained m bones and carcases for 76 days. Tin* voyage from South America occupied 21 days. Even an additional 21 day < in cold storage would not destroy all traces. Chilled meat would only keep in good condition 40 days. Lord Stradbroke contended that theproposal would reduce chilled to the value of frozen meat. The Research Committee had already arranged with Argentina to ensure the healthfulnesof carcases exported. Agriculturist < must trust in tho Government’s steps to suppress the incidence of foot-and-mouth disease. It could not accept tb*» motion, which Lord Ernie then with - drew.