LIVESTOCK EMBARGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22099, 3 May 1935, Page 17

LIVESTOCK EMBARGO

NEED FOE RETENTION SAFETY OF FLOCKS AND HERD COST OF FIGHTING DISEASE The following letter on the Government's proposal to lift the embargo on tho direct importation of livestock from Great Britain has been received from a correspondent who signs himself "Stud Stock Breeder": — It is astonishing how many breeders have no real knowledge of the dangers of foot-and-mouth disease and the stringent regulations which would have to be enforced should an outbreak occur.

In 10 years about £10,000,000 has been paid in compensation for stock destroyed on account of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. Is New Zealand to risk a much greater financial loss, and a many times greater indirect financial loss, to enable a few breeders to import a relatively small number of animals from England at a less cost to themselves than under present circumstances? In other words, is this country to face a loss running into millions in order v to save some breeders relatively small sums oi money, in addition to sacrificing that most valuable reputation, "A clean stock country "P I direct attention to the following: (1) New Zealand has bred some of the world's best dairy stock. It is an indisputable fact that New Zealandbred Jerseys have won a. number of world records for butter-fat production, e.g., Woodlands Felicio with a record of 12201b. butter-fat at four years. The largest Friesian stud in New Zealand and Australia is in the Auckland Province. It contains some of the best animals in the world of that breed, especially for production, typo and constitution. It represents a lifetime's successful breeding. Similar remarks apply to a number of the Jersey herds. These factg demonstrate what the good cattle-breeder can do. (2) This Dominion lias bred, and is breeding, a number of the best horses, whether Clydesdales or racehorses, l'he Royal Show champion at Sydney last month was a New Zealand-bred Clydesdale. Breed o! First-class Type (3) The Corriedale is now an acknowledged breed of first-class typo, and has been developed entirely by New Zealand breeders. Tho same care in breeding and selection should give equally good results with Romneys, Southdowns, Ryelands, etc. Is not New Zealand Southdown the best in the world?

(4) In 1789 the States Assembly of Jersey Island passed an Act prohibiting the importation of any live cattlo. This Act is still enforced. Jersey cattle at tho beginning were poor, but by careful selection and breeding they have developed into cattle which aro second to none. To-day it is the universal opinion of the breeders on Jersey Island that they owe a deep debt of gratitude to those who prevented tho 'importation cf live stock with its consequent dangers of disease. Jersey Island has shown what -can bo done with an absolute embargo on importations.

Stud stock is being imported from Britaineveryyear, asthere is no absolute embargo, but merely a certain amount of restriction. I own an imported bull, but if I decided'to import another, I am- prepared to faco tho increased cost rather than endanger the whole country in order to obtain the animal at a lower price. (5) The risk from straw packing is referred to by the Minister. The regulations are so stringent that all such materials have to be sterilised. In tho absence of a proper certificate to that effect, goods from England have been sont back. Reason for Slaughter, Policy (6) In order to minimise the seriousness of foot-and-mouth disease emphasis is laid on the statement that animals have recovered from it. This is admitted, but my searchings for data indicate that such animals afterward usually are wrecks. On the other hand, tho Minister admits Xiat "in the United Kingdom no infected animal is allowed a chance of recovery." The question immediately arises: Why? The answer is obvious.

(7) Surely it cannot be seriously thought that the total value of stud stock which might bo imported from Britain, would have any real influence on the'pending negotiations connected with possible quotas The increased value of stud stock importations from Britain ivould affect only a few special breeders in Britain, and tho total payment for such stock to Britain would be only a meie bagatelle compared with the value of our primary exports —a few thousands compared with many millions. To say the least, such an argument is feeble. (8) Due to tho quality of some of our stud stock, exportations of Jerseys, Friesians and horses to Australia occur every year. The important factor in this is the high quality of our stock. Farmers must do everything in their power to safeguard the Dominion as well as themselves.

" NEW BLOOD NEEDED "

ADVANTAGES TO NEW ZEALAND

"A.8." writes:—lt is gratifying to learn that the Government now proposes to lift the embargo on tho importation of livestock. The narrow and unreasonable view expressed by the local Farmers' Union and others is without justification. Every country in the world permits the importation of pedigree stock from Groat Britain. This country requires and must have the introduction of new blood to improve tho quality of its stock. It is nonsense to sav that wo already have the best. Wo can, however, secure a premier position if we throw overboard our stupid and insular ideas. We have ideal conditions—in the South Island for some classes and in tho North Island for others —for raising beef cattle „ equal to Argentina's best, draught horses equal to Scotland's best, and sheep equal to tho best in tin* i world.

The advantage of this is three-fold, namely: quality of our meat for export; (2) the great advertisement we would secure in England as buyers of their high-class pedigree stock, creating a most beneficial psychological effect on our customers in England; and (3) the potential value of a large future export trade of pedigree stock to other countries The Government lays down such stringent regulations as to make the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease impossible. Opponents to the lifting of the embargo fail to realise that at the present time wo cannot absolutely control all imported articles, some of them "carriers " Wo permit passengers to land whose boots may have come in contact with the soil in alfccted districts in England. Passengers come by air without our inquiring whether they have traversed any affected district. The fear of contagion is without reason, and the continuation of the embargo is doing incalculable harm to this country.