MAY NOW BE LIFTED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 15 April 1935, Page 7

MAY NOW BE LIFTED

EMBARGO ON LIVESTOCK OUTCOME OF MEAT SITUATION DEPARTMENT IN FAVOUR. (By Telegraph—X’rcss Association.) ' AUCKLAND, April 13.

As a repercussion from the British meat import situation it appears highly probable that New' Zealand's embargo on the direct importation of; livestock from Britain on account of foot and mouth disease may shortly be lifted.

As a result of cabled inquiry by the British Government the New Zealand Department of Agriculture has again reviewed the question from every -aspect and the unanimous opinion of its veterinary officers; which is shared by the Government, is that the embargo should cease.

Before taking any fresh action, however, the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, has sent a circular letter to breed societies of the Dominion and other responsible farmers’ organisations asking them to discuss the matter fully and submit their views by the end of the present month in order that a decision may be made and a, reply sent to London before the meat conferences in May. The Minister’s letter, states that the British Government has specifically asked for the view of the New Zealand Government regarding the embargo and a reply must be sent as the matter will certainly be raised in the coming discussions on meat. The New Zealand Government feels that it should be finally settled one way or the other. F

PERSISTENT KIEQ RESTS. The Minister adds that the Government has received persistent requests' train many stock-owners and stockowners’ organisations for the removal of the embargo on the direct importation of cattle; alieeu and pigs from Britain. This course was recommended bv a Parliamentary committee last, year, and its recommendation is now. unanimously endorsed by the veterinary officers of the department. Protests against the removal have not been supported by any sound grounds, either practical or scientific, and though doubtless made in all earnestness they can really be regarded as embodying the negative general policy of “taking no risks.” .Vs a matter of actual fact it is safe to import stock front the United .Kingdom if proper precautions are taken. On the other hand, there is always some risk of foot-and-mouth disease being imported through infected hay, straw, clothing, hides, .skins, cow-hair and ship’s garbage, though all possible precautions are in force. In the animal, infection usually manifests itself in from two to seven days, but virus of disease has been found to remain active on liay for periods up to 15 weeks.

Referring to tlic argument that apparently iiealtliy animals may act as “carriers,” the Minister states that while “carriers” may exist, they are always animals which have had the disease and have recovered. However, in the United Kingdom no infected animal is allowed a chance of recovery. Whenever an outbreak occurs not only those which have- contracted the disease, but all others which have been in contact with them, are slaughtered and the carcases effectively destroyed. This rules out any “carrier” risk in British stock.

ANOMALOUS POSITION. After pointing out that New Zealand alone among the Dominions maintains such an embargo, the Minister continues: “Thus ive have the anomalous position of being engaged in important negotiations with the British Government in an endeavour to obtain as good terms as possible in connection with the importation into Great Britain of our live stock products, while at the same time, unlike our competitors, we have stubbornly refused to admit straight from Britain breeding live stock, the export of which constitutes an important source of income to the British farming industry. After carefully reviewing the whole question the Government is of the opinion that steps should be taken to enable this to be done without further delay.”

The Minister gives full details of precautions which the Government proposes to take il the embargo is lifted. These include the .. provision that no animal may be shipped that has been derived from a iarin on which an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred within the. preceding 12 months or within 15 miles of which an outbreak lias occurred in the preceding six months. Animals arc to be examined before .shipment and accompanied to New Zealand bv a veterinarian appointed by tile New Zealand Government, and are to be landed at Wellington only for a quarantine period of up to two months. There are stringent rules regarding forage, bedding, utensils and disinfection of animals before shipment from London. All shipments are to be subject to an assurance by the British Ministry of Agriculture that they can be made without special risk due to

widespread outbreaks of the disease existing at the time. Importations will be limited to one or more specially authorised shipments of animals purchased by or on be.h alf of individual New Zealand breeders. The kind of stock to be included must be officially approved after consultation with the breed societies.