EMBARGO ON LIVESTOCK

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1934, Page 4

EMBARGO ON LIVESTOCK

Apparently the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union is still convinced that it will be unsafe for the Dominion to import livestock from countries infected with foot and mouth disease. The consequences of the introduction of the disease would be so disastrous that the caution of the Farmers’ Union can be understood. At the same time, the need for fresh blood cannot be denied, and the question is raised whether some middle way out of the difficulty cannot be found. At a recent meeting of the New Zealand Veterinary Association a Taranaki delegate, Mr. J. Hill Motion, made a suggestion that might be worth exploration by the authorities and by the Farmers’ Union. He urged that the embargo remain but that it be lifted from time to time, not for individual importations of stock, but for importations supervised in purchase, quarantine and shipment and disposal by breed societies. By such means, it was contended, not only would the better class pedigree animals be chosen for export to the Dominion, but there would be full assurance that all the necessary precautions had been taken to prevent the introduction of foot and mouth disease to New Zealand. Importers of stock purchased on pedigree only know how often disappointment has been felt when their importations have reached the Dominion. To send an expert to make each individual purchase would be out of the question, but if a number of importers acted through a breed society the cost of expert choice and supervision of stock would be much lighter, while the breed societies would know that only the best type of animals would be selected. Sir Arnold Theiler, whose authority in veterinary matters is scarcely likely to be questioned, thinks the embargo could be lifted with safety, provided the necessary precautions were taken. If Mr. Hill Motion’s suggestion were adopted there could be little fear of any neglect in that direction.