IMPORTATION OF STOCK

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 943, 9 April 1930, Page 11

IMPORTATION OF STOCK

GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE FOOT AND MOUTH INFECTION Froxn Our Rcsidetit Reporter WELLINGTON, Today. An explanation of the Government's attitude toward the importation of cattle, sheep and pigs from the United Kingdom was given by the Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Agriculture. in an interview yesterday. “It can readily be realised that British farmers find it difficult to understand why the importation of cattle, sheep and pigs from the United Kingdom is still prohibited, notwithstanding the establishment of a quarantine station at London in which animals for export are kept under quarantine conditions for two weeks before being shipped,” said the Minister. “This period is ample to enable foot and mouth disease to manifest itself in any animal infected before entering the station. In considering this it is necessary to bear in mind the fact that New Zealand is free from many serious diseases existing in older countries, and that both the Government and the farmers of the Dominion have always been deeply impressed with the necessity for doing all that is possible to prevent tiio introduction of any of these complaints. Hence a general policy of precaution which may appear extreme in some respects is held to be warranted in the circumstances, and this general principle is fully endorsed by the farming community. “As regards foot and mouth disease in particular, the farming community views it with special concern, this being accentuated by information received from travelling farmers, who have observed the heavy losses incurred through it in other countries and by a realisation of how serious and widespread would be the loss to the Dominion if it became epidemic here. “Reference has from time to time been made to animals of British origin brought to New Zealand via the United States or Canada. It must be pointed out that no live stock can be introduced from these counrties unless accompanied by a certificate in proper form, that they are in good health, and have been bred there or domiciled there for a period of not less than six months. Also, in the case of the United States, the prior consent of the Minister of Agriculture for their introduction is necessary.”