Mr. Hay to Mr.
Thomas.
Department of State,
Washington, June 5,
1899.
No. 55.]
Sir: Referring to the Department’s No. 53 of
the 5th and No. 54 of the 18th ultimo, I inclose copy of a dispatch from
our consul at Christiania, stating that the regulations for the
inspection of imported meats have been modified.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Bordewich
to Mr. Hill.
Consulate of the United States,
Christiania, May
6, 1899.
No. 55.]
Sir: Since my last report on the subject,
in dispatch No. 51 of date April 14, the Christiania board of health
and meat inspector have modified their previous stringent rules
relating to the inspection of imported meats, as will be observed
from the inclosed published notice, which I send to you with
translation.
In an interview which I had with Mr. Bentzen, president of the board,
one of the first days in April, I explained to him the careful
method employed by American meat inspectors, and I also let him have
the use of the last year’s book of the
[Page 725]
Department of Agriculture, from which much
could be learned on the subject. As the rules were changed in our
favor soon after, my explanation must have had the desired
effect.
I should like to get a copy of the act of Congress of March 3, 1891,
relating to meat inspection, as it may become of use later.
Of this wrote in dispatch 51 also.
I may also at this time add that the importation of horse meat is not
prohibited in Norway, but it should be sold for what it really is,
and it should be subjected to examination like other meats.
I beg, etc.,
Henry Bordewich,
United States Consul.
[Subinclosure.—Translation.]
Official notice.—Notice from the board of
health.
In accordance with the provisions of the approved regulations adopted
by the Christiania board of health, the board has passed the
following resolution:
With every shipment of articles of food which is sent to this city,
and in the composition of which enters meat, pork, blood, or
interior parts of domestic animals, which has been divided in
smaller pieces, it is required that the board be furnished with the
necessary proof, as a rule by certificate from a public
veterinarian, showing that the food in question is prepared in such
manner and from such material that the same is not injurious to the
public health.
In cases where such articles of food are imported from abroad, it is
required that the veterinarian’s certificate is accompanied by
authentication from the police officers (in the place) or from a
Norwegian consul, if any such is found in the place. This resolution
of the board includes all meat and pork of domestic animals, whether
the same is salted, smoked, cooked, or fixed in other manner,
provided the same is divided in smaller parts than one-fourth of a
whole animal; also tongues, sausage casings, and other parts of and
for sausages, or similar of meat, pork, blood, or internal parts of
animals prepared articles of food. Therefrom, however, for the time
being excepted, pork in the form of hams, shoulders, or sides, when
these are salted or smoked. Therefrom also excepted, corned beef or
other canned goods packed in tins, provided the same, as far as the
United States is concerned, shall be accompanied with inspection
certificate from a duly appointed inspector, or his subordinates,
under the United States Department of Agriculture, or else will
attest from others whom the board may favor with their special
confidence.
Christiania Board
of Health, April
21, 1899.
- G. E. Bentzen.
- Hj. Berner.
