Mr. Adee to Mr.
Thomas.
Department of State,
Washington
,
August 5,
1899
.
No. 64.]
Sir: I inclose for your information a copy of a
dispatch from the consul of the United States at Gothenburg under date
of July 7, 1899, transmitting a copy of the law of Sweden governing the
importation of horse meat into that country, and recommending to
exporters of such meat in this country a careful observance of the
regulations.
A copy of this dispatch was sent to the Secretary of Agriculture, [Page 729] and under date of August 3,
1899, the Acting Secretary, after acknowledging the receipt of the
dispatch, observes as follows:
I note in this connection the consul’s statement that objections
have also been raised to the word “inspector” on the Department
of Agriculture certificate of inspection, the customs
authorities claiming that this does not satisfy them that the
inspector is a veterinarian, and as such competent to judge as
to the condition of the meat and to sign the certificate.
In my opinion this Government should not admit that such an
objection is justified, since the fact that an inspector is
appointed by this Department and assigned to the duty of issuing
certificates should be sufficient guaranty that he is competent
to do this class of work.
As a matter of fact, all the meat inspectors of this Department
are veterinarians, but we should not admit the right of any
foreign government to question the qualifications of our
inspectors.
As it is not believed that anything material will be gained by arguing
the question with the Swedish authorities, you are authorized to say
that the matter has been presented to your Government in the light of
the consul’s dispatch, and that you are now in receipt of information,
through this Department, from the Secretary of Agriculture, whose
Department is charged with the appointment of such inspectors, that, as
a matter of fact, all such inspectors are veterinarians. It may be added
that the inspection is thorough and complete under the laws of the
United States and the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Bergh to
Mr. Hill.
Consulate of the United States,
Gothenberg, Sweden
,
July 11, 1899
.
Sir: Referring to reports from this office
of February 9, 1899, and January 23, 1899, concerning the
importation of horse meat, I have the honor to inclose two copies of
the law governing the importation of horse meat into Sweden; also
translation of the same.
I have had opportunity to learn that the customs officials are trying
hard to effectually bar out American horse meat, and I therefore
will suggest that the exporters follow the regulations prescribed by
the Swedish Government to the letter. The barrels must be sealed
carefully, so that opening on the way is impossible without
detection. The importation of horse meat in cans is entirely out of
the question under the present circumstances, as the veterinary
insists on examining every piece of meat, and consequently has to
open each can. Nothing but the best of meat will be accepted by the
authorities; if any second or third class meat arrives it will be
destroyed, causing loss to the exporter. Objections have also been
raised to the word “inspector” on the Department of Agriculture
certificate of inspection. The customs authorities claim that this
does not satisfy them that the “inspector” is a veterinary, and as
such competent to judge as to the condition of the meat and to sign
the certificate.
I have, etc.,
Robert S. S. Bergh, Consul.
[Subinclosure.]
On the 4th day of February, 1898, the Swedish Government decided to
issue the following regulations concerning the importation of horse
meat, which regulations were published in circular No. 7, dated the
25th same month:
[Translation.]
Horse meat which is imported from foreign countries shall be
accompanied by certificate from a veterinarian residing in the
country of exportation to the effect that the meat is from fully
healthy animals; and the veterinarian’s competence to [Page 730] issue such certificate
shall he verified by Swedish and Norwegian consul at the place of
exportation, or, if none such reside there, by some constituted
authority thereof.
-
Paragraph 2. On the meat, or if it
arrives packed up, on the casings, shall be placed in unimpaired
condition a mark provided with the signature of the
abovementioned veterinarian, and, furthermore, notations which
indicate that the mark bears relation to the same article that
is mentioned in the accompanying certificate; and such mark
shall, when on the casing, be so placed that thereby is gained
reasonable security for, that the casing has not been opened
after the mark was put on.
-
Paragraph 3. Horse meat which is
imported into the Kingdom shall, before clearance at customs, at
the expense of the owner and at the order of the proper sanitary
authorities, be inspected by a legitimate veterinarian in order
to ascertain whether or not the same is fit for human
food.