DISEASES OF STOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20088, 27 October 1928, Page 22

DISEASES OF STOCK.

FOOT-AND-MOUTH TROUBLE. CAMPAIGN IN BRITAIN. BEEF FROM ARGENTINA. The advisability of the British Government restricting the importation of Argentine beef into Great Britain as a safeguard from further outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, is still a topic of keen discussion, according (o the London correspondent of tho I'astoralist (Melbourne). This question has been well ventilated, he nays, but so far the Government has not been moved to action. It would bo wrong, he continues to assume that further inquiry is not going forward, as 1 lean privately that Government. bacteriological experts have now been • instructed to make actual tests of samples of incoming Argentine meat to find out whether tho foot-and-mouth virus is actually nlivo after the period of chilled carriage across the Atlantic. If this is proved in the affirmative, then the technical advisers to tho Government will free themselves trom responsibility in this matter, and it will be up to tho House of Commons to decide whether action be taken. It has been stated in these columns that this important question has been largely promoted and maintained by propaganda methods. In attributing credit for this to various persons, the: part played by Mr. A. 11. Hassan in forcing this question to the front should not be overlooked.

A frozen moat trade authority in London, discussing tho possibility of an embargo being placed by tho British Government on Argentine chilled beef imports into Great Britain, has said: " What would be tho effect on other lcinds of meat, if an embargo was placed on the importation of Argentine chilled beef and it was received frozen instead ? Chilled beef attracts tho same class of customer that buys New Zealand lamb—a class requiring superior meat, but not at home-grown price. It wouid not endure frozen beef as handled at present, for this Is necessarily cut up into so many joints that numerous ' raw ' surfaces are exposed from which blood and water often exude and make tho meat in appearance unattractive. No doubt, home-grown beef would, therefore, be in greater demand, but New Zealand lamb would be tho main substitute of chilled until efficient de-freezing plants were established for scientifically thawing frozen beef. '

" The poorer members of the public who buy chilled beef when not too dear would probably turn their attention to frozen beef, the demand for which should be thus stimulated. Australian and New Zealand frozen teef shippers would, therefore, benefit, as much of their beef is on a par in quality with South American, a difference being that Australasian exports include, a fair proportion of secondgrade beef shipped as such, whereas most of the Argentine's second-grade is sent to the Continent.

" A stoppage of chilled beef from the /Argentine should be detrimental to the interests of tho growers in that country only to a limited extent, as it would probably result in bigger exports of frozen beef, that being more conveniently carried in the ships' holds than chilled.. Cold storage facilities in this country are ample to deal with all Argentine supplies being received in a frozen condition. The in™ position of such a suggested embargo, therefore, would be likely to tfe beneficial to the growers of the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

[BRITISH MINISTRY'S ORDERS

CONVICTIONS FOR BREEDERS

Several convictions for feeding animals trith unboiled foodstuffs have followed prosecutions recently instituted under the Ministry of Agriculture's Footand-Mouth Disease (Boiling of Animal Foodstuffs) order, and fines up to £lO have lieen imposed, states an English journal. This order is one of the* many measures passed bv the Ministry 'iri remit years with a view to minimise the risk of the introduction and spread of foot-and-mouth disease, particularly omoni; pigs fed on swill and other waste foodstuffs.

The order provides that scraps of meat fir any other part of a carcase of an animal, or any broken or waste foodstuffs, including table or kitchen refuse, which contain, or have been in contact with, any meat or other part of a carcase of an animal, must not, until they have been thoroughly boiled for at least ono hour, be brought into contact with or fed to s>igs or other animals: and no animal must ie permitted t.o bo brought into contact ■with such meat scraps or other foodstuffs nntil these have been so boiled. Persons who infringe the order render themselves liable to a fine of £SO, and in certain circurnsfaTices to imprisonment.