FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE Seamen Break Regulations

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31542, 2 December 1967, Page 42

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE Seamen Break Regulations

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 1. Members of the crew of the liner Ceramic ignored stringent footand - mouth disease regulations this morning by throwing waste matter from the portholes and deck as the vessel was berthing at the overseas terminal.

Because of the risk of the disease reaching New Zealand’s shores from Britain, not even matches, cigarette

packets, beer cans or bottles may be thrown into the water, notices aboard toe liner clearly state. Even toe feeding of seagulls with scraps has been forbidden. The crew were ordered to place all rubbish in receptacles provided in various parts of toe ship. These are collected and destroyed ashore under supervision. The carrying ashore of all foodstuffs, including bread, fruit and sandwiches, was banned. But some crew members and passengers paid scant attention to toe instructions, and a carton full of rubbish, including bottles and matches, was seen being emptied into

toe harbour from the deck, and sandwiches were tiffown from a porthole. Three inspectors from toe Department of Agriculture went out in a tug to interview the 60-odd passengers early this morning. They were advised of toe regulations forbidding toe import of meats, skins, hides, feathers and any articles capable of introducing foot-and-mouth disease.

Baggage was thoroughly examined and all footwear scrubbed with a solution of disinfectant. All cars were loaded on to a special container, which took them to a steam-cleaning plant. Several dogs belonging to passengers had to be left be-

hind in Britain because of the regulations. The Ceramic carried no livestock. The director of the animal health division of the Department of Agriculture (Dr S. Jamieson) described the action of the erring members of the crew as “thoroughly irresponsible.” “It goes to show that, regardless of the steps taken in this country, there are always people ready to break regulations,” he said. A spokesman for the Marine Department said it would be physically impossible for the department to police the activities of. the crews of overseas vessels in New Zealand harbours.

“We simply haven’t the staff to do it,” he said.