IMPORTED STOCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22574, 12 November 1936, Page 16

IMPORTED STOCK

ANXIETY OF FARMERS EFFORTS TO AVOID IMPASSE NEW REGULATIONS PROPOSED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] PALMERSTO.V NORTH, Wednesday The opinion that farmers were becoming anxious regarding the possibility of overseas interests prevailing upon the Minister of Finance, the Hon. \Y. .Nash, during his visit to London, to facilitate the entry of livestock from Great Britain to the Dominion, was expressed by Mr. Lloyd Hammond, president of the Wellington central provincial executive of the Farmers' Union, when speaking at a meeting of the executive at Taihape to-day. The situation at Home suggested that an opportunity would be taken by the National Fanners' Union to impress upon the Minister the existing unsatisfactory position, and with tho revival of agitation for the removal of restrictions against the importation of livestock from countries infected with foot-and-mouth disease, Mr. Hammond said, it was feared that the Minister might bo influenced toward taking drastic action to end the present impasse. Ho had given tho matter very careful consideration, and felt that the farmers might bo able to agree upon proposals lie had sketched, which aimed at tightening up the regulations covering the importation of livestock, yet would prove infinitely more satisfactory than the existing "back-door" method. Outline of Proposals The proposals he offered should be fully considered by the union, with the ultimate object of placing them before the Government as a gesture by the farmers of the Dominion that they were prepared to facilitate, under proper control, the importation of livestock from England, he said. Mr. Hammond then outlined his proposals, holding that it must be recognised that it was impossible to prevent livestock being imported, and that it was desirable and apparent, particularly to thoso who wore opposed to the lifting of the embargo, that the present loose and absurd* method should be tightened if the quarantine regulations were to mean anything. It was proposed to ask tho Minister of Agriculture to agree to the following:—No stock to be accepted for export to Now Zealand that had been within a declared foot and mouth disease area within the previous tw'j years to the date of entry into the quarantine station in England; stockto lie kept the full time in quarantine in England under regulations already in force; all fodder for the feeding of animals on the voyage to Now Zealand to be sent Home from tlu Dominion; stock to be sent out in collective consignments; each consignment to bo in charge of a qualified veterinary surgeon, whose duty would include noti fying the Now Zealand authorities immediately of any disease or sickness that might occur on the voyage. No Intermediate Landings It was further suggested that on the voyage 110 stock should lie temporarily landed at any port of call between Fngland and Now Zealand, nor should other stock ho allowed on the boat except whore it was taken from countries entirely free from foot and mouth disease, the period of quarantine in New Zealand should not be less than six weeks; the Government should be asked to assist tho scheme by providing a veterinary surgeon for suitable consignments of stock, and also' sending Homo free of cost the necessary fodder; the Farmers' Union to circularise all breed societies to ascertain whether or not it was new blood that was absolutely essential to improve tho livestock of the Dominion: all stock before entering quarantine at Home should bo examined by a qualified veterinary surgeon nominated by the New Zealand Government, who should give a certificate of constitutional soundness; that tho stock on arrival in New Zealand and before being landed at the quarantine station should bo first examined as to whether it was free from all disease. Mr. Hammond stated that the idea of his proposal was that it should be fully considered by farmers generally before any action was taken. Some of the clauses were based on proposals of the late Government, which he realised had been turned down, but for the reason that they were not understood. The meeting approved of tho proposals being circulated.