TESTING OF CATTLE

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30879, 12 October 1965, Page 3

TESTING OF CATTLE

Suggestion By Farmer (N.Z. Press Association) HAMILTON, Oct. 11. A new tubercular-testing scheme suggested to the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Talboys) by a Waikato farmer, has been referred by the Minister to the National Tuberculosis Advisory Committee. The scheme, proposed by Mr D. F. O’Brien, of Matangi, would allow farmers to have stock tested for tuberculosis now and keep reactors until 1968. Mr O’Brien suggested that a farmer or sharemilker should be permitted to test his herd this year at his own expense to ascertain the extent of the disease in his animals. He should also be able to retain reactors, if the number was unduly high, until compulsory testing came in in 1968. In his reply to Mr O’Brien, Mr Taiboys said it would not be proper for him to comment on the suggestions at this stage as it was the dairy industry itself which initiated the tubercular area eradication scheme and recommended the rules under which it should operate. “This is a matter which Should first be considered by the National Tuberculosis Advistory Committee which is responsible for advising the Government on the management of the scheme,” said Mr Taiboys.