Mr. Adee to Mr. Thomas.

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.,

Alvey A. Adee.
[Inclosure.]

Mr. Bergh to Mr. Hill.

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.