Minister Of Agriculture Opens Veterinary Talks

Press, Volume C, Issue 29435, 10 February 1961, Page 19

Minister Of Agriculture Opens Veterinary Talks

(Mew reels** Pres, jumcmmmu

WHUUNGTON. Feb. ». Animal health and good husbandry wore of paramount importance to the economy of New Zealand, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Gillespie) said today in opening the an* unal conference of the New Zealand Veterinary Association. He eaid there was no need to emphasise the country’s dependence on the export of its primary products. Animal diseases could upset the country’s economy and disrupt the planned progress so neceemry in good fanning practices. The veterinarian had a vital role to play in preserving the present expansion of the primary industries. Mr Gillespie'said a matter of great important was the eradication of tuberculosis in dairy cattle. He hoped the present schemes would be expanded to include beet cattle, which he thought must be introduced in some way or another later.

He said the time was approaching when New Zealand, because of fiercely competitive markets, must market produce from clean herds. Referring to the world-wide shortage of veterinarians. Mr Gillespie said New Zealand had only 300, which was small in relation to the farming industry. “By and large. It can be said there is room for expansion to fill up the gaps that will be created in the years a’.ead." The Government would be establishing a veterinary school, and examination of proposed sites was already under way.

To maintain an exportable surplus in the face of a rapidly expanding internal population and to meet the demands of overseas markets which insisted on ever-higher standards of food hygiene, the livestock industries of New Zealand and the veterinary pro-

fession were confronted with two great tasks, the president ot the association (Mr T. Wallace) said. If the association's members showed wisdom and vision, veterinary science would lake Its rightful place in the progress of New Zealand. Commenting on the shortage of veterinarians, he said that the niggardly attitude towards salaries had almost reduced to imgxitence the Animal Industry Division of the Department of Agriculture. He considered the department must soon develop the New Zealsmd counterpart of the veterinary Investigation officer in Britain.