FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20622, 11 August 1932, Page 5

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE.

EMBARGO DECLARED' NECESSARY. RELAXATION OPPOSED. "Persistent suggestions continue to be made from certain quarfers for the removal of the present embargo on the importation of' stock from countries affected with foot-and-mouth disease," states the annual report of the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union which was adopted at tho " annual meeting last night. "For the reasons set out in the last annual report, which still hold good and possibly apply with added force to-day, the executive'has, throughout the year, consistently upheld the policy laid down at successive annual meetings of tne union. The continuation of outbreaks m Great Britain, in spite of drastic pre ventive methods adopted there, fully justifies tho action taken in this respect The action of the British Government in placing an absolute embargo on importation 8 of stock from Ire and as a result of outbreaks of the disease and the further fact that over 10,000 an - ma ls have been destroyed m Great Britain during the year ending April last at a total cost for compensation alone paid by the Government to stock-owners of nearly £IOO,OOO, is some indication of what might be expected in Jtew Zea, land if the disease were, to make.its appearance among stock m the DomrnRestrictions Necessary. ••In the opinion of the executive ! there can be no question but that the I present embargo and restrictions should be strictly maintained until a reasonable period of total immunity from the disease in Great Britain has been experienced. The simple means by which the disease was introduced into Ireland should be sufficient indication of the necessity for every precaution being taken with regard to importations from Great Britain during the prevalence of the disease. Following on discussions at the last annual meeting of our Jedoration, the Government was requested to call a conference of representatives of the various interests affected with a view to a full discussion as to what was considered to be the best line of action to be taken ..with, regard to further importations of stock. . "Consideration of the request was promised by the Department, and the exocutive hopes that when our Government is relieved f-om its more pressing anxieties it will be found possible for a conference to be held as suggested ! In the absence of any guarantee that no risk is involved in the removal ot the present restrictions, your executive is emphatic that uo relaxation of the present restrictions should be agreed to." Outbreak at Home. The matter was further discussed by Mr E. Hay in his presi'ential address to the union. . "You will have noticed xn the papers last week that a further outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was reported from Worcestershire," said Mr Hay.J I sincerely trust that the influence which it has been stated may possibly be used at Ottawa to obtain the removal of the present restrictions on the importation of live stock from Great Britain will be stoutly resisted by our delegates

there. 1 need not remind you of the attitude of stoekowners generally throughout New Zealand with regard.to this matter, except to once more stress the need for a safety first policy." If the Government thought it advisable to remove the restrictions on stud stock importations from Great Britain, then it would have done go on its own responsibility, and not expect breeders for export to take the blame should the disease appear in the yDominion as a result of an expressed consent to the removal of the present restrictions on stock from infected countries. He believed that the British Director of Agriculture had made the statement that he could pick up the virus of foot-and-mouth disease on the point of his walking stick at John o' Groats, and carry it to Land's End in Cornwall, and "take three months doing it, and the virus would still be infectious.