IMPORTATION OF STOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20668, 13 September 1930, Page 13

IMPORTATION OF STOCK.

EMBARGO TO CONTINUE.

DISEASE IN GREAT BRITAIN.

FRESH OUTBREAKS REPORTED.

[RY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL HErOUTETI.] WELLINGTON. Friday.

"In view oi a statement that Great Britain had been clear of foot and mouth discaso for six months, the Government had the matter of raising the embargo on imported slock under consideration, but only yesterday advice was received of thrco outbreaks of tho disease in Yorkshire," said tho Minister of Agriculture, tho Hon. A. J. Murdoch, in the House to-day. Mr. W. J. Poison (Independent—Stratford) had asked that tho Government should consider lifting tho embargo on British stock for export in view of tho opinion of tho Board of Agriculture that tho danger of importing foot and mouth disease no longer existed. Tho Minister said that in view of tho latest information, it would bo unwiso to relax tho restrictions at present.

OPINION IN AUCKLAND

MATTER FOR LATER REPORT

The Board of Agriculture's proposal to lift the embargo on the importation of slock into New Zealand from Great Britain was brought before the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association at its meetjng ycsleiday, when a letter was received from tho board asking tho association for its opinion on tho proposal.

In ils letter tho board slated that it felt that tho time would soon bo opportune to remove tho embargo on the importation into New Zealand of livestock from Great Britain, and considered that if Great Britain remained freo from foot and mouth disease until tho end of tho present year stock from that country could bo allowed to enter the Dominion, subject to reasonable precautions. At present Great Britain had been free of disease since December, 1929, and in England all restrictions 011 tho movement of stock had been withdrawn from January 14. 1930.

The Empire Marketing Board had established a quarantine station in London, which had been opened in April, 192 H, and under its scheme Ihe Royal Agricultural Society had administered tho station as agents for the board, while the Ministry of Agriculture had been responsible for examining animals prior to admission. ]t was also responsible for visiting and inspecting tho stock at least once every day, and a final examination was made before each animal was loaded. Pedigree stock were detained, and isolated for 14 days immediately before shipment, a period sufficient to cover the maximum period of incubation of foot and mouth disease. Tho board stated that, New Zea land was now tho only country in tho Empire which still prohibited the importation of stock from Great Britain. After Mr. W. ,T. 11. Reynolds had moved that the question should bo referred to a sub-coinniittco for a report Mr. J. I'. Kalaugher expressed opposition to any change in the present quarantine regulations. Ho moved as an amendment t hat tho association should pass a resolution against any change.

"I think that we should not discuss the matter at present," remarked the chairman, Mr. J. T. F. Mitchell, who said tho question could bo left to a sub-committee. A sub-committeo was then appointed to report to the next meeting of tho council on October 1.