CONTROL OF T.B.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4044, 6 May 1938, Page 5

CONTROL OF T.B.

DAIRYMEN CONCERNED. FARMERS’ UNION DISCUSSION. •The desirability of having all dairy herd sires tested for tuberculosis was advocated by Mr W. G. Neill, of Te Kawa, when presiding at the monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday afternoon. He explained that he had noted it stated by an observer that in Denmark testing for “T. 8. was being made almost universal, and that in that country’s competition with New Zealand on the British market for dairy produce it was intended to quote comparative figures to show the British consumer that Danish produce was from tuberculin-free dairy cattle. Mr Neill added that in parts of Great Britain testing for tuberculosis in dairy stock was an important matter. All bulls were tested in Denmark as the first step towards testing of all dairy cattle. He thought that in New Zealand, with its excellent climate that enabled herds to be kept outdoors all the year round there would not be the same prevalence or susceptibility to T. 8., but New Zealand could not afford to allow the people of Britain to gain the impression that New Zealand dairy cattle were generally infected with tuberculosis. If a whole herd could not be tested a forward step would be to deal with the sire. Mr A. S. Wyllie warmly supported the idea, and gave some details of investigations by herd testing officials. He moved that as the time was not far distant when it would be vital to undertake systematic testing with the object of eliminating T. 8., from dairy herds, the branch should call upon the Department of Agriculture to take all pract : cal steps to ensure first quality goods for export. Mr H. R. Clarke said he had been assured that experts agree that sites infected with T.B. could not transmit the disease to their progeny or- with cows in a herd. Mr D. H. Cavers gave the’ result of his investigations, and mentioned that he was not convinced the present system of testing for T.B. was along sound lines. He advised caution,, and mentioned that in thei depression years it had been stated that a universal scheme would cost the Dominion £3,000,000. Who would bear that cost? He suggested that more information was needed. This view was supported by other speakers, and Mr N. Fletcher suggested that the secretary write to the Department seeking as much authoritative information as is available, for the guidance of the Te Awamutu branch, and what steps were being taken for the elimination of T.B. from dairy herds. Mr Onion, supporting, said his own experience led him to the conviction that the present methods of testing for T.B. were inconclusive. The motion was withdrawn, and the secretary is to seek information from the Department for consideration at next month’s meeting.