STOCK FOOD IMPORTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 132, 5 June 1937, Page 15

STOCK FOOD IMPORTS

FROM EAST INDIES

POSSIBILITIES OF DISEASE

The possibilities of the introduction into New Zealand of animal diseases from the .Dutch East Indies are to be investigated by Mr. W. C. Barry, M.R.C.V.S., of the Agriculture department, who will leave Wellington for Java next week. In making the announcement last night, the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. L. Martin) said that Mr. Barry would also inquire into possible markets for the export of stud or dairy stock. .- . .

"The advent of regular and frequent_ direct steamship connection between the East Indies and New Zealand, which has recently been inaugurated," said the Minister, "has given rise ;to some apprehension respecting the possibility of the introduction into New Zealand of serious stock diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease, in imported maize and other stock foods. Prior to the inauguration of a direct steamship service the question of the possibility of the importation of maize, etc., from countries affected with foot-and-mouth disease and other serious stock diseases non-existent in New Zealand was gone into by the Department of. Agriculture, and, to enable control'to be-exercised ;a regulation was. brought down early in April ■ prohibiting any importations ,of grain., (stock foods) without the precedent consent of,the Minister of Customs. As a result further permits for the importation ' -of maize from, the Netherlands Indies have been refused. DANGER DENIED. "This refusal to,'*: grant permits, amounting to a prohibition, has result ed in much dissatisfaction being \expressed by importers in New Zealand and also by representatives of the Dutch shipping company responsible for the new direct service, who claim that, as foot-and-mouth disease ■ does not exist on all the grain-growing islands of the Dutch East Indies, importations could be made without danger of, infection being carried. The Minister of Agriculture, on whose adyice permission' to import has' been refused, was, not. however, prepared to vary his decision unless .bis officers could satisfy him ' that there was no danger, and has now arranged for an inquiry, into the whole position to be carried out.

"This can ;be accomplished only by an official investigation on the spot, involving contact with the Dutch veterinary . organisation respecting every aspect of the position," said Mr. Lee Martin, "and it has consequently been decided to send the Director of the Live Stock Division of the Department of Agriculture. Mr. W. C. Barry, M.R.C.V.S., to Java for that purpose. Mr. Barry will accordingly leave for Sydney on June 10, en route for Java. While there, in addition to the special purpose of the visit, Mr. Barry will inquire into the possibilities of the establishment of trade from New Zealand to the Dutch Indies, particularly with respect to the export of stud or dairy stock."