Foot and Mouth Disease

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 88, 14 April 1938, Page 6

Foot and Mouth Disease

BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S PRECAUTIONS (British Official Wireless.) Received Wednesday, 9.20 p.m. RUGBY, April 12. Foot and mouth disease, the recent outbreak of which caused the largest standstill order for British cattle and stock ever issued by the ministry of Agriculture, was debated in the Lords. The Earl of Fcversham, replying for the Government, said after the last epidemic which began in the south-eastern counties, this further series of outbreaks was a great disappointment. It was essential to check any further distribution of the disease by the movement of animals and it was necessary to obtain breathing space so that it would be possible to track down every single animal which might have been exposed to infection. “We hope to complete our investigations at an early date. We hope that the actual spread of infection will not prove to be so serious as we had at first anticipated. If within the next lew days this view is confirmed and the Minister is satisfied that the spread of disease has been checked we anticipate that a substantial restriction of the control area be possible even if it proves impossible entirely to withdraw the order covering those parts which are nearest the infected area.

“Local restriction measures have been studied over a number of years and they have stood the test well. They represent what is practicable in this country with outbreaks on the Continent you will unanimously agree that the regulations are effective. The Government would prefer to rely on the existing restrictions and powers which owners have in keeping people off their lands and of a slaughtering policy rather than of measures the inconven ience of which will outweigh any possible advantages which might be deriv - ed from them.