Threat to U.S. market

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32524, 6 February 1971, Page 2

Threat to U.S. market

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. New Zealand is in danger of losing its lamb and mutton markets in the United States if the Taenia ovis variety of hydatids is not checked, according to a Nelson veterinarian, Mr P. H. Malone.

He said this today after addressing the New Zealand Veterinary Association’s conference in Wellington. "Australia has already lost its sheep markets in the United States because of this type of hydatids affecting carcasses,” Mr Malone said.

The incidence of Taenia ovis in New Zealand had risen steadily since 1959 until last year it was found in 4 per cent of the total samples proved from dogs in the country. The disease had now reached a level where steps had to be taken and the National Hydatids Council’s scheme must be altered to protect New Zealand’s mutton and lamb markets.

Grazing sheep which consumed the Taenia ovis eggs passed with the droppings of

diseased dogs and carried over farmland by the wind developed small white cysts throughout their bodies. Although the meat from these animals was not harmful to humans, it appeared unsightly, and was condemned. During his address, Mr Malone said that the legislative, administrative and technical requirements for hydatids control, must be of maximum efficiency. He said these control requirements must also be of reasonable cost and accept-

able to dog-owners. The success of any control measures depended entirely on an active, enthusiastic, and voluntary co-operation of dog-owners. “The legislative requirements to enable the overall administration of the methods needed for control and eradication should have as their first objective, to seek to assist—not coerce this cooperation,” he said. Legislatively the council had grave deficiencies, administratively it was topheavy and expensive, and technically it was weak. The active, enthusiastic, and voluntary co-operation of dog-owners sb apparent in the late 19505, had long been lost, “and apathy is again the order of day,” Mr Malone said.