Morning journal and courier., 1884-01-18
Friday, January IS. 1884.
AMERICAN BEEF AND P0RK=

Ane action or certain of the European governments in adopting restrictive reeula-
 tions against the meats of this countrv has already had serious effect upon our export trade, and unless something can be done to-
 wards getting these restrictions removed the trade will be still further damaged.
 During the last year there has bsen a de- crease in our exports of live stock and meat products of thirteen million dollars. In consequence of the restrictions which Great Britain imposes on our exports of live cattle, animals taken from this country bring an average of fifteen dollars per head less than if the same cattle were exported from Cana da, where rigid examination of cattle is en- forced and no disease is known to exist.
 This places our cattle industry at & serious disadvantage in competition with countries against which no restrictions are imposed and tends constantly to lessen the aggregate of our export. Much greater percentage of losses IS sustained by reason of the restric- tlops imposed by foreign countries upon our pork products.
 A number of prominent dealers in live stock, who are naturally much interested in this matter, have submitted to the House of Representatives memorial asking for legis lation to protect their interests, and what they say Is well worth attention. They be lieve that the restrictive regulations which have been made are to a great extent inspired by motives other than those publicly assigned but they say that the disease of pleuro-pneu monia, or lung plague, exists to limited ex n aj had I;kio lantic seaboard, where it was first introduced by importation from Great Britain and Hol- land Various State laws have been passed for the suppression of this disease and sev- eral hundred thousand dollars expended, but owing to the lack of united action by the sey- eral States and the diff culty of regulating by State enactment the commerce between the States, it has been impossible so far to en- tirely eradicate the disease except in the single State of Massac husetts, which took i'm mediate action on discovering the disease, and by prompt measures, at an expenditure Of about $100,O00, successfullo ersdicated it. There Is also certain amount of dis ase existing among the swine of the United States, but certainly not'to nearly so great an extent as is represented abroad.
 The memoriaiists, among whom are some of the great cattle dealers of the West. ask Congress to provide means for the extinction of the disease of pleuro pneumonia, and this, they say. can only be done by the slaughter Of all infected cattle. The memorial further says that the members of the United States cattle commission, who have made a very thorough examination of this subject, esti- mate the expense of such a measure at S1, ,500,oO0. In the opinion of the mem orialists not more than $500. GOO need be made Immediately available The memorial further recommends, with view to removing the prejudice of foreign customers, that rigid system of inspection of all meat pro- ducts for export be provided for and en forced-the expense of sush inspection to be borne by the exporter.
 It IS certain that whatever measures are necessary to removeall suspicion from Amer icsn meats should be taken immediately and thoroughly. The willy foreigners should not be allowed, by negligence in this country, any fair excuse for shutting out our meats.