DISEASED CATTLE

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26723, 6 May 1952, Page 7

DISEASED CATTLE

“Half Of Britain Sealed Off”

(Rec. 10.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. The Ministry of Agriculture has sealed off nearly half of Britain in an effort to check the rapidly spreading foot-and-mouth disease.

It is Britain's worst epidemic for 28 years, and is spreading twice as rapidly as a month ago. Farmers are becoming concerned for the future of meat and milk supplies because of the slaughter of breeding stock, and the veto on the movement of cattle, both of which are considered basic methods of combating the disease.

The Ministry stated that 10 fresh outbreaks were notified during the week-end.

Thirty-six counties and nearly 24,000,000 acres are involved in the General Cattle-Standstill Order. This means that no market or sale of animals can be held in the area, unless restricted to fat stock for immediate slaughter, and unless it is licensed. The immediate cause of the general restriction was a herd of cows which left Somerset for Scotland and became infected on the journey. Ministry veterinary officers are trying to trace 600 animals, now dispersed, which came into contact with them. The agricultural editor of the “News Chronicle” says: “Public concern is growing, not merely at the destruction of meat—for carcases are burned to prevent the spread of the disease —but at the thought of fine pedigree her«. many of which took 20 years to build up, being wiped out. “People are asking if all this Slaughter is necessary. Britain's world trade in pedigree bloodstock would almost disappear if the disease became firmly established. ; “Birds, particularly starlings, carry the virus. It can be carried on the sole of a boot, in the marrow of a chilled carcase, and even by running water.”