ECZEMA IN SHEEP

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1938, Page 3

ECZEMA IN SHEEP

• DISEASE DUE TO FLUSH OF UKASS. • Pei Pres* Association —Copyrightj. WELLINGTON, April 27. The Field Starf of the Departmew of ..giicultui'e nas been considerhPij • reinforced in. order tp intensily th< investigations into facial. eczenn amongst siieep, and tile Department is concentrating on checking the trouble. . The Minister of Agriculture (Hon, iW. Lee Martin), interviewed, said that extensive investigations in 1»3<: by Dr Hopkirk Ted to a pronounced opinion that the ciesease was definite! j due to dietic conditions, and resulted from the flush, of grass, following a dry summer. The possibility of this outbreak was anticipated by the Department’s official publication in February, and preventive and remedial measures w r ere outlined. ’ A number of articles had been published in the" newspapers and broadcast talks were being given nightly pver the National Stations. Additional veterinary surgeons have been drafted to South Auckland, and all possible advice and information is being given to fanners. EMBARGO SUGGESTED. ON NORTH ISLAND SHEEP. CHRISTCHURCH, April 27. The outbreak of facial eczema among sheep in the North Island was discussed by the North Canterbury Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, to-day. The Executive was told that some farmers considered that until it was discovered which the eczema spread had been of sheen from the North Island to the South Island should be prohibited. The course of action decided on was •to inquire from the Stock Department and the Canterbury Agricultural College whehter there was a danger of the disease becoming as widespread in the South Island as it was in the Noith Island. Mr J. H. Skinner said that the farmers at' the Addington Saleyards had been talking about the outbreak in the North Island, and some had suggested that until the means b.v which the 0.-mernn spread had been discovered, sheep from the North Island should be prohibited from coming to the ' c outli Island. The President (Mr I. L. M. Coop): “I understand that the disease is not

contagious, but that the sheep get it through feeding on young grass after having dry food. There doesn't seem much chance of any sheep being shipped from the North Island just now. “There haven’t been any cases reported in Canterbury this year so' far as I know,” added Mr Skinner. The Executive expressed ‘ its sympathy with the North Island farmers in their heavy losses of stock.