PEDIGREE STOCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 184, 7 August 1933, Page 9

PEDIGREE STOCK.

N.Z. IMPORTATION.

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE,

REASONS FOR EMBARGO.

We have received the following from a breeder of stock: —• The writer views, with alarm the Governor-General's advocacy of the lifting of the embargo on importation of pedigree stock from Britain, and much regrets the vital necessity to controvert his Excellency's views on this matter. All readers, arid especially farmers, are urged to consider the following .data relative to foot-and-mouth disease.

Control in Britain. In the "New Zealand Journal of Agriculture" for October, 1931, particulars of the official system and its operation are set out, and the are the salient points therefrom. Note the stages of control: — Stage I. —The law states that if disease is suspected to exist: (1) A telegram must bo sent to the Minister .of Agriculture; (2) the police must be notified; (3) the police must inform the local authority; (4) the local authority must cause a veterinary inquiry to be made forthwith. If foot-and-mouth disease is not a serious matter, why all this fuss in Britain, when it is merely suspected ?

"Prohibition Ring." Stage II. —What happens if the veterinary inspector reports the disease exists? (1) A five-mile radius prohibition ring is put round the infected place or premises, and movement of animals into or out of this area is prohibited; (2) the inspector lias the power to extend tho prohibited area to 15 miles radius or more, under the same conditions. Again one asks, why these stringent conditions of control if the disease is not dangerous? Stage 111. —What happens when existence of this disease is confirmed? The Minister of Agriculture makes an order declaring the area of 15 miles radius about the infected premises to be a "foot-and-mouth disease infected area." Results: —(1) No movement of animals out of infected area is permitted; (2) movement of animals into and within the area permitted only under license; (3) marketing of stock is prohibited, except fat stock, which may be sold outside tho five-mile radius; (4) all dogs must be under aontrol; (•">) hunting is prohibited; (0) all affected animals and all animals recently in contact or directly exposed to infection are immediately slaughtered. This slaughter is generally completed within 24 hours ot report; (7) a patrol staff of veterinary inspectors are put into the area; (S) compensation at full market value is paid by tho Government for stock slaughtered. This item alone has cost Britain millions sterling during recent years. J TV! rt L. /I

Different Conditions. Can New Zealand risk all these consequences, which do not represent the whole story? The. writer says, "Emphatically no. 5 ' Should foot-and-mouth disease gain entry here, it would pass through this country like wildfire, just as did thj> influenza, epidemic of 1918. Our herds would bo decimated, and our farmers ruined. Probably it would never be got under proper control, and would be always with us. Conditions here are very different from those in closely-settled Britain. It would undoubtedly spread to the wild pigs and deer, which would be likely to be carriers and bring it back to farms every autumn. The following extract from a letter from Southern Rhodesia under date September 20, 1931, is illuminating: "Things aro very bad in Rhodesia at present foot-and-mouth disease broke out amonpst cattlc about six months ago, and since then all export has been stopped. The smaller farmers are being ruined, and the bigger ones aro having a bad time, too. Rhodesia was comparatively well oil* until foot-and-mouth came along." During 1931 there were 97 outbreaks in Great Britain, and during the year ending April, 1032, over 10,000 head of stock were slaughtered on account of foot-and-mouth disease. A special committee of the United States Agricultural Department lias investigated tliis disease thoroughly, from°which the writer gives one quotation only: "Animals even eight months after recovery, and indeed in several instances after more than a year, have been held responsible for causing outbreaks of this disease." The preceding is only a tithe of the evidence which can bo adduced in support of the Government's embargo on tho importation of pedigree stock from Great Britain or any other country where foot-and-mouth diseaso occurs.