Mr. Wharton to Mr.
Terrell.
Department
of State,
Washington, October 5,
1891.
No. 160.]
Sir: Referring to your dispatch No. 225, of the
10th ultimo, relative to the regulations enforced in Belgium as to imported
carcasses of dressed beef, I transmit to you herewith a copy of a letter
from the Secretary of Agriculture on the subject.
You will use your own discretion as to the best manner of presenting the
matter to the Belgian Government with a view to securing the removal of the
restrictions complained of.
I am, etc.,
William F. Wharton,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure in No. 160.]
Mr. Rusk to Mr.
Blaine.
Department of Agriculture,
Washington, October 1,
1891.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your esteemed favor of the 25th ultimo, inclosing a dispatch
from the American minister at Brussels relative to his efforts to obtain
a modification of the regulations of the Government of Belgium which
prohibit the introduction of American fresh beef.
[Page 38]
I would very respectfully request that our minister to Belgium be again
directed to urgently insist upon the repeal by the Government of that
country of that provision of its laws which requires carcasses of
dressed beef imported from America to be accompanied by the lung
adherent thereto.
This regulation practically prohibits all exportation of dressed beef
from the United States to Belgium, as our shipments of beeves are made
in quarters, the lung being removed at time of slaughter, and it is
therefore not practicable to ship them adherent to the carcasses. The
inspection laws of this country provide for both an ante and postmortem
examination of all animals killed for exportation, and an official
certification by officers of this Government as to the healthfulness of
the animal at time of slaughter. The continuance by Belgium of this law
is therefore not only an unjust discrimination against our dressed-beef
products, but is a reflection on the character of our inspection.
Trusting that such reasons will be given to the Government of Belgium as
will induce it to modify this unwarranted provision of law maintained
against the fresh-meat products of this country,
I have, etc.,
