FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21405, 5 August 1931, Page 8

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

OUTBREAKS IN BRITAIN. (From Ode Own Correspondent.) LONDON, June 25. On Sunday night the Ministry of Agriculture had received reports of 32 confirmed outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and another eight suspected cases. The Minister has made an order prohibiting all movements of cattle, sheep, and swine throughout the country/ except under license, which is limited to fat stock /for immediate slaughter.

It seems probable that the source of infeqtion is Ireland, where the existence of foot-and-mouth disease was reported last week. The outbreaks in England and Scotland were discovered among store stock recently imported. All landings from Ireland have been prohibited since June 17. , The ■ standstill order, which the Ministry is enforcing with the assistance of the police, must inevitably cause a serious dislocation of business by preventing the holding of ordinary markets (writes the agricultural correspondent of The Times), But farmers are prepared to accept this as an essential safeguard against the further spread of infection until the situation is under control. Fortunately, the main seasonal movement of store cattle within the country and from Ireland has been completed, but a number of Irish cattle were distributed through the southern counties, as well as the north, in the early part of last week. After a few days it may be considered possible' to cancel movement restrictions in the south, but this would be risky and inadvisable' at the moment. VIRULENT FORM.

According to reports made by the Ministry’s veterinary officers who are dealing with the outbreaks, the disease is appearing in virulent form. Every effort is being made to stamp out infection by the slaughter of all affected stock and contacts, but it will be a few days before the full seriousness of the position can be appreciated. Everyone will hope that prompt action by the Ministry has prevented a repetition of the outbreaks of 1923-24, which cost the country £4,000,000, including compensation paid for the animals slaughtered to stamp out an epidemic. Our policy of slaughter may seem expensive at a time like this, but it' is sound national economy. Reference to statistics shows that Continental countries suffer a heavy toll of their live stock year after year through the ravages of the disease, though the effects may not be fatal. The vigorous policy pursued to keep this country free from infection is fully justified by our comparative immunity in recent years. Moreover, we have a valuable export trade in pedigree stock to the dominions. Their ports are closed against live stock from any country where foot-and-mouth disease exists. A NEW SERUM.

Extensive use is being made of the new anti-foot and month serum, which was first brought into prominence six months ago. A Ministry research officer said: All contact suspects have been followed up and inoculated. This is the first time the serum has been tried on a large scale, and none of the inoculated animals has so far sickened. As the serum process is, however, still largely experimental the Ministry have had to pursue the drastic policy of immediate slaughter. The first casualty list showing the slaughter of animals includes 1200 cattle, 1800 sheep, 100 pigs, valued approximately at £50,000. . The dislocation of trade also added a heavy burden to the farmers.