FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21576, 22 August 1933, Page 12

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

Sir, —The Farmere' Union opposes strongly any suggestion of relaxation in the conditions governing importation of stock from countries where foot and * mouth disease exists. Discussion at Farmers' Union meetings is monotonously against any slackening in the quarantine. At a recent meeting of the Auckland Executive of the Farmers' Union the statement that the disease lacks seriousness, was strongly contraverted. Foot and mouth disease is a most terrible complaint—one which if it attacked any of the wild fauna of this country would be always prevalent. As to its seriousness, the millions of pounds which it costs in Britain in compensation for animals and loss of trade over whole districts entirely isolated in casa of nn outbreak afford full evidence. In any case, were it ever so harmless in New Zealand, the fact that Britain is troubled with foot and mouth disease would not in the least prevent Britain from excluding products from New Zealand were the disease introduced into this country even from Britain. Exaggeration on the danger to New Zealand which would arise if foot and mouth disease became endemic in the Dominion is utterly impossible; it would spell ruin. A. E. Robinson. Provincial Secretary.