STOCK EMBARGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22085, 15 April 1935, Page 12

STOCK EMBARGO

TERMINATION PKOBABLE EFFECT ON MEAT PARLEYS • / GOVERNMENT IN FAVOUR CIRCULAR TO BREEDiERS As a repercussion from the British meat import situation, it appears highly probable that New Zealand's embargo on tho direct importation of livestock ~ from Britain on account of foot-and-mouth 'disease, may shortly be lifted. As the result of a cabled inquiry by the British Government, the New Zealand Department of Agriculture has again reviewed the question from every aspect, and the unanimous opinion of its veterinary officers, which is shared by tho Government, is that the embargo should cease. Before taking any fresh action, however, the Minister of Agriculture, tho Hon. C. E. Macmiillan, has sent a circular letter to tho breed societies of the Dominion and other responsible farmers' organisations, asking them to discuss the matter fully and submit their views' by the end of the present month, in order that a decision may be made and a reply sent to London before the meat conferences in May. The Minister's letter states that the British Government has specifically asked for tho view of the New Zealand Government regarding the embargo, and a reply must be sent. As the matter will certainly be raised in the coming discussions on meat, the New Zealand Government feels that it should bo finally settled one way or the other. Precautions Nullify Risk " The whole position has been reviewed from all standpoints," the Minister continues, "and an unbiassed consideration Jeads to a clear conclusion that with proper precautions British live-stock can be admitted without risk of foot-and-mouth disease, and, in fact, with less general risk than under the existing system of introduction through other countries." The Minister adds that the Government has received persistent requests from many stock-owners and stock-own-ers' organisations for the removal of the embargo on the direct importation of cattle, sheep and pigs from Britain. This course was recommended by a Parliamentary committee last year and its recommendation is now unanimously endorsed by the veterinary officers of the department. Protests against the removal have not been supported _ by sound grounds, either practical or scientific, and though doubtless - made in all earnestness they can really be regarded 'as embodying a negative general policy of " taking no risks." No Danger of " Carriers" As a matter of actual fact it is safe to import" stock from the United Kingdom if proper precautions are taken. On the other hand there is always some risk of foot-and-mouth disease being imported through infected hay, straw, clothing, hides, skins, cow-hair and ships.' garbage, though all possible precautions are in force. In the animal infection usually manifests itself in from two to seven days, but the virus of the disease has been found to remain active on hay for periods up to 15 weeks. Referring to the argument that apparently healthy animals may act as carriers," the Minister _ states that while "carriers " may exist, they are always animals which have had the disease and. have recovered. However, in the United Kingdom no infected animal is allowed a chance of recovery. Whenever an outbreak occurs, not only those which have contracted the disease. but all others which have been in "contact with them, are slaughtered and the carcases effectively destroyed. This rides out any "carrier" risk in British stock. rw 1 , After pointing out that Isew Zealand alone among the Dominions maintains such an embargo, the Minister continued: "Thus we have the anomalous ' position of being engaged in _ important negotiations with the British Government in the endeavour to obtain as good terms as possible in connection with the importation into Great Britain of our livestock products, while at the same time, unlike our competitors, we have stubbornly refused to admit, straight f from Britain, breeding livestock, the export of which constitutes an important source of income to the British farming industry. Only Limited Importations "After carefully reviewing the whole question^-the Government is of opinion that steps should be taken to enable this to be done without further delay. The Minister gives full details of the precautions which the Government proposes to take if the embargo is lifted. These 'include a provision that no animal may be shipped that has been derived from a farm on which an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred within the preceding 12 months, or within 15 miles of which an outbreak has occurred in the preceding six months. Animals are to be examined before shipment and accompanied to New Zealand by a' veterinarian appointed by the New Zealand Government, and are to be landed at Wellington only for a quarantine period up to two months. There are stringent rules regarding forage, bedding, utensils and the disinfection of animals before shipment from London. All shipments are to be subject to an assurance by the British Ministry'of Agriculture that they can be made without special risk, due to widespread outbreaks of the disease existing at the time. . Importations will be limited _to one or more " specially authorised shipments of animals purchased by or on behalf of individual New Zealand breeders. The kind of stock to be included must be officially approved after consultation with the breed societies.