FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 85, 9 January 1928, Page 6

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

SERIOUS POSITION IN GREAT BRITAIN

PRECAUTIONS IN DOMINION STRICT REGULATIONS OPERATE Information received by the Department of Agriculture indicates that there have been further outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Britain, and that the position is regarded as very serious. The prevention of the introduction of this disease is a matter of vital importance to the Dominion, and the most stringent precautions have been, taken by the Government during the last five years. Foot and mouth disease would strike a deadly blow at the primary industries and consequently at the prosperity of the whole Dominion. Its ravages in Britain have caused grave losses to the farming community since the war. A special committee of experts was set up some years ago to investigate the whole position as to the causes and origin of the disease and to devise measures to combat its deadly effects. How seriously the subject is regarded ?s evidenced by the activities of the British Ministry ot Agriculture and the frequency with which the matter is discussed in the House of Commons. IMPOPtTATION OF STOCK PROHIBITED. Since the war the most rigorous measures have been adopted by the New Zealand Government to prevent the introduction of the disease into the Dominion. The importation of live stock from Great Britain, Europe and other infected countries has been prohibited since January 7, 1921. FODDER AND STRAW PACKING REGULATIONS. In March, 1924, the Government made regulations under the Stock Act, 1908, prescribing, inter alia, that in every ease where goods of any kind are imported, either direct or by way el’ any other country into New kealand from Great Britain, Ireland, or any part of tho Continent of Europe, any lay, Straw, or chaff received with such goods as packing or otherwise, shall, except as specially provided, be thoroughly destroyed by burning. These regulations were revoked on February 21, 1927, and new regulations were substituted as follow

1. The importation into New Zealand, either direct or by way of any other country, from Great Britain, Ireland, any part of the Continent of Europe, Argentine, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, and Chile, of hay, straw, or chaff is prohibited, save with the consent of the Minister of Agrieullme, except where such introduction takes place in accordance with these regulations. The regulations do not apply to any articles of millinery or other articles constructed wholly or partly of braided, interwoven, or plaited straw. 2. Hay, straw, or chaff used as packing material for goods manufactured and packed in Great Britain may be imported upon production to the Collector of Customs at the port of entry of a certificate or declaration, either on or with the invoice from the exporter or packer, countersigned as correct by a responsible officer appointed by the High Commissioner for New Zealand for the purpose, to the effect that the hay, straw, or chaff, used has been cither: (a) Subjected io the action of live steam, maintaining in all parts of the compartment a temperature of not less than 185 degrees fahrenheit, for a period of at. least ten minutes: (b) Placed loosely in a tight compartment having a temperature of not less than 65 degrees fahrenheit, and thoroughly sprayer: with 10 fluid ounces of formaldehyde solution (containing not less than 37 per centum of formaldehyde by weight) for each 1000 cubic feet of space in the compartment, which was immediately closed in a manner to prevent the escape of the formaldehyde vapour and kept close for not less than 8 hours; or (e) Placed loosely in a tight compartment and subjected to the action of heat in the presence of moisture at a temperature of not less than 2GO degrees fahrenheit, maintaining this temperature throughout the whole of the chamber for a period of not less than two hours. 3. Where material of any kind ether than hay, straw, or ehaff, disinfected ami certified in accordance with clause “ is used for the packing of any goods imported from the countries hereinbefore mentioned, a certificate or declaration as to the nature of such material must bo endorsed on the invoice accompanying such goods, and be signed by the exporter or packer. 4. Straw envelopes intended for use in packing bottles may be imported from Great Britain upon product ion to the Collector of Customs at the port of entry of a certificate or declaration simi lar to that prescribed in clause 2. 5. Every person who commits a breach of these regulations shall be liable to a penalty of not less than £2 nor more than £lOO. DEPARTMENT WATCHFUL. The officers of the Department of Agriculture have kept, a very close watch on the position in respect of foot and mouth disease, and the regulations of last year have been, and will continue to lie, strictly enforced. The position :n Britain is also being close 1 ? watched by the High Commissioner’s Deportment, and tho Department of Agriculture is being constantly informed on the matter. The latest report is contained in the cable message, dated January 4, from the High Coininissioner to the Alinister of Agriculture;— In continuation of my telegram of November 4, the present position of foot and mouth disease very serious. In November there were 30 outbreaks, distributed as follow: Hampshire 20, Wiltshire 8, Buckinghamshire 1, Berkshire 1. During December there were 70 outbreaks, distributed as follow:— Derbyshire 28, Staffordshire 10, Warwickshire 8, Yorkshire 6, Lincolnshire 5, Nottinghamshire 4, Lancashire 2, Wiltshire 2, Worcestershire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Cheshire, Hampshire, 1 each. Up to January 3 there have been 14 outbreaks, but all in previously infected areas. Dr. C. J. Reakes, Director-General of Agriculture, who is in England, cabled to the department as follows:— Several further outbreaks foot and mouth disease. Position serious. See that straw packing regulations are strictly enforced.