HEALTHY MEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 101, 2 May 1938, Page 9

HEALTHY MEAT.

INSPECTING ANIMALS.

OUTBREAK OF ECZEMA. POSITION GRADUALLY IMPROVES. Although facial eczema is still causing extensive losses among stock, reports from the districts most seriously affected indicate that the incidence of the disease has abateil somewhat during the past few days. Representatives of the auctioneering firms in business in the Waikato decided that in future all stock offered for sale for local consumption should be inspected in tbe yards before the sale and that the vendors should be requested to guarantee these sheep to be free from eczema provided they were bought for immediate slaughter.

The South Auckland Butchers' Association has been advised that the Department of Agriculture was making arrangements for the sale to butchers at the works of mutton carcases that had been passed for export. By these means a continuity of supply of eczema-free meat would be assured to consumers. Not Contagious. A Press Association message from Wellington quotes a statement by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. W. Lee Martin, who says that according to unanimous veterinary opinion, the disease was not spread by either infection or contagion. Its occurrence in different areas was due to the fact that animals in those areas were subject to similar dietetic conditions. The drastic measure of restricting the movement of stock from affected areas, therefore, did not appear to be -warranted. An Opotiki message states that there have been outbreaks among sheep and dairy cattle, but it is not expected that the trouble will become serious. "Keep Clear of Bush Pastures." After watching the effects of a method of treating affected sheep by injecting a non-irritant disinfectant under the skin of the face with a hypo-syringe, the Moirinsville sheep committee has expressed the opinion that at the present stage the evidence of beneficial results was not sufficient to warrant the committee recommending the general adoption of the treatment.

Mr. A. L. Thompson, Government veterarian attached to the committee, stated that the committee could onlv advise farmers to keep their herds and flocks off bush pastures and place them in bare paddocks and feed them on hay and afterwards on strictly rationed quantities of grass.