IMPORTATION OF STOCK.

Otago Witness, Issue 1853, 27 May 1887, Page 6

IMPORTATION OF STOCK.

It will be seen from the report of the meeting of the * Otago, Agricultural and Pastoral Association, whichappears in another column, that ie was unanimously resolved to recommend the Government to rescind the regulations prohibiting the importation of stock, conditionally "that the other Australasian colonies decide to act in .a similar manner." There was a large attendance of members at the meeting, which was specially called to consider the question, and it is worthy of note that the majority present are owners and breeders or control the management of some of the highest bred herds and flocks in the province. The conclusion arrived at with .such unanimity is therefore all the more significant and important, because owners of pure stock had the opportunity of advancing the standard arguments in favour of prohibition, — viz., the sufficiency of stud cattle and sheep in the colony and the danger of the introduction of disease through importations. Instead, however, the speakers enforced the desirability of the frequent infusion of a change of, or rather perhaps fresh, blood in order to maintain the standard of quality in stock, and so far from fearing the introduction of disease from importations from the United Kingdom the opinion of the meeting was that the term of quarantine fixed by the conference is unnecessarily long. In reference to " total prohibition " it is necessary to observe that the measure was adopted at the time when " foot and mouth " disease prevailed throughout the United Kingdom, and the while matters were ag- | gravated by the outbreak of rinderpest. No I effectual measures were for a time adopted by the Home authorities to repress the ravages of the maladies, and, in fact, butchers, dealers, and the mass of consumers in centres of population agitated in opposition to the adoption of restrictions on imported cattle, which it was known were an unfailing source of the evil. Ultimately, however, several successive contagious diseases (animals) acts were passed which conferred discretionary powers on local authorities for the slaughter "of diseased animals and such beasts as had been in contact with them, and the quarantine of the land or premises where they had been kept. The local authorities were, as may be supposed, for a time very remiss in^ attention to the duties, and eventually the Veterinary dedpartment of the Privy Council insisted on the enforcement of stringent measures. Beneficial results immediately followed; rinderpest was stampeu out, and according to a letter from Mr Duckham— a well-known authority — which appears in a late number of the Farmers' Gazette, cases of foot and mouth disease have been unknown since 1885. Successful in stamping out foot and mouth disease and rinderpest, similar measures have been adopted when outbreaks of pleuro-pneumonia occur. Inspectors have been appointed all over the kingdom, to whom must be reported — under a penalty for omission — any cases that may occur. How stringent the measures are may be inferred from the following :—" Consequent on the outbreak reported from the Drogheda district, Ireland, a letter was read at the board of guardians of that union last week from the Veterinary department of the Privy Council, saying that the department regretted that the local authority had not made an order for having all the cattle on the infected farm at Donecarney slaughtered. Four animals remained upon the farm. An immediate order for their slaughter should be made by the local authority, and to save the department the necessity of exercising the powers conferred upon them in that regard. The letter pointed out the desirability of not having an infected place within the union, and also the great importance, in view of the cross-channel trade, of having the recommendation of the department acted on."

Writing on the subject, the Farmers' Gazette says:- "It appears therefore that local authorities have the power to order the slaughter of all animals that have been in contact with any affected with pleuropneumonia, and that in some cases, at all events, the Veterinary department of the Privy Council takes care that this is done, or otherwise the department would exercise "the powers conferred upon them in that regard.' "

From the above it will be seen that in the United Kingdom every case must be "reported," and any supineness or negligence on the part of the local authorities receives prompt attention from the supreme authority, the Privy Council. Supervision is now so complete and effective, and outbreaks so localised, that unquestionably within a very short term even pleuro-pneumonia will be stamped out. Compare the proceedings with what may and does occur in these colonies. A writer in an Australian journal, over the signature " A Drover," arguing in regard to the efficacy of inoculation, states that during the first week of his journey in charge of a large mob of cattle, quite a number succumbed to pleuro. He commenced inoculating, and carried the plan out as opportunity occurred, with the result that be saved the greater number. But what of the heids grazing on the country the infected mob passed through ? The proceeding would be an impossibility in the United Kingdom, where detection would be certain, and the consequences heavy penalties on the owner, and quarantine and slaughter of the cattle. Any cattle or sheep breeder desirous of importing stud animals may now do so with perfect safety by instructing his agent to purchase only wherea " clean bill of health " for, say, a twelvemonth, could be shown for the stock. Misrepresentation would scarcely be attempted, because the records at the office of the local authorities would be known to be available. The only further precautions necessary would be the safe conveyance to porb and bousing before shipment. Colonists,

who send home for stock, may now be reli^ on to take extreme precautions, for impoit. ing involves the expenditure" of ~ a" lan* .amount ,-ofi'money^^BuKeyen^ere pm. (chases made, incautiously^ there !jjk the safe! guard that no removal of ariunaii would \» permitted from a hefecl or floek 5 in the Hom { Country — if under snsplcioK of "disease. Mr Brydone's opinion •' that animals pro, perly certificated at Homeland inspected ot> arrival ,here, ought to, be landed without quarantine," appeared to •be concurred in generally by the 'meeting, ■ and, 'doubtless, a resolution would have been carried embody, ing this View of ..the question, but for thj desire to secure uniformity 'of action through, out the colonies. The expense, involved the keep of stock" on board ship, for—say, 40 days, added to "the freight, with 120 days' quarantine on arrival ;• or say^altogether, fiy e .and a-lialf months, under, fceayy outlay, fc almost as prohibitive of importations as ths present law. . : -,•'•.