HC Deb 09 February 1911 vol 21 cc435-6
Mr. BOTTOMLEY

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received reports from Dr. MacFadden and Dr. Leiper in reference to the parasitic condition of imported Australian beef; and whether he can state what steps are being taken to prevent such parasitically affected meat from being sold as human food?

Mr. BOTTOMLEY also

asked whether Dr. Leiper has expressed the opinion, in his report to the Local Government Board, that the area of distribution of the worm parasite found in imported beef is wider than Australia; and what steps are being taken for the examination of beef imported from other countries?

Mr. BURNS

I have received the reports referred to, and they have now been published. Copies have been sent to the Port Sanitary Authorities, on whom devolves the duty of inspecting imported meat from all sources, and I understand that where parts of carcases liable to be infested with parasitic nodules have not already been removed prior to exportation to this country, the meat is dealt with by Port. Sanitary Authorities in the manner referred to by Dr. MacFadden. The Commonwealth Government have undertaken to inspect all meat exported from Australia, and to take steps to ensure that no meat affected with parasitic nodules shall be exported in future. It is true that Dr. Leiper has expressed the opinion that the diseased condition is not peculiar to Australian cattle, but, up to the present, I have received no reports of parasitic nodules in meat from any other countries. All imported meat is liable to examination on entry to this country.

Mr. BOTTOMLEY

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the case of parasitic portions removed before exportation to this country, the Government take any steps to ensure that they are not subsequently dished up in the form of tinned meats sent to this country?

Mr. BURNS

In the event of that contingency arising or being suspected, the Government would take every step to prevent that kind of process being carried out.