EMBARGO ON LIVE STOCK

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1935, Page 20 (Supplement)

EMBARGO ON LIVE STOCK

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. OX WARBLE FLY PEST DANGER. The debatable question as to whether New Zealand should or should not lift the embargo against the importation of livestock from Great Britain, imposed owing to the foot and mouth disease position in Great Britain, is discussed in an article in the Mataura Ensign contributed by an expert, who has closely followed the controversy. In view of the questions asked and the answers given in the British House of Commons in connection with the recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease at Home, it is surprising to learn, he remarks, that the Agricultural and Pastoral Committee of the New Zealand House of Representatives recently recommended the lifting of the embargo on stock passing through the British Quarantine Station. Possibly that committee was not conversant with what has taken place on this same question in the British House of Commons, all pointing to the baffling and serious nature of the malady.

Recent answers to questions in the House of Commons by Mr. Elliot showed that during the past three months seven outbreaks of foot and mouth disease had occurred which could not be attributed to previous cases in this country. In none of these outbreaks was the source of infection definitely established, and in no case was there reason to believe that the animals imported into this country were the first to be affected. In the same month Sir Geo. Bowyer had replied to Lord Apsley that outbreaks had occurred during the month in six areas, the majority of the cases being in the Lindsey, Lincolnshire area. Two outbreaks near Grimsby were probably independent of the other cases in that area, in which, however, the means of spread of infection had not definitely been established. The initial cause of infection in any of these six areas had not yet been traced; in the case of one area, however, namely, -that at Thombury, Gloucestershire, it was thought that the outbreak might be a recurrence of a previous outbreak in September. No evidence had been obtained which would indicate that an outbreak in any one of the infected areas had been responsible for the occurrence of disease in any of the other areas concerned. The history of the animals involved and their management in the initial case in each of the affected areas varied widely, which suggests the likelihood of different agencies acting independently. No general cause had been discovered as the reason of the outbreaks, nor was there any reason to believe that they were caused.

Important facte to note, (continued the article) are that no less an authority than J. O. Powley, MR.C.V.S., Superintending Inspector, Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture, London, stated:' “I am satisfied that some of the initial cases in this country are missed, owing to the fact that the originally infected animal contracted the disease in such a mild form as not to throw up what we regard as typical diagnostic vesicles, but probably suffered only from a slight transient malaise. Such an animal, however, has transmitted the infection to several of its companions, which later threw up typical vesicles”—i.e., contracted foot and mouth disease. In spite of the authority recently quoted in New Zealand, the highest Home Country and Continental authorities are still baffled by this disease, in that many of the sources of outbreaks cannot be traced. ’

The cost of controlling these outbreaks is enormous. In Switzerland quarantine for eight months is imposed on recovered animals cwing to the fact that recovered animals may be carriers of the virus- New Zealand fanners (in spite of dll this) have been told that this disea-se is like unto a form of influenza. Mr. David Jones thinks we have a unique opportunity to obtain a market in the United States of America for our meat, due to . the fact that we are free from foot and mouth disease.

At a recent meeting in Africa the Rhodesian Minister for Agriculture said: “Although careful investigations have been made it has not been discovered from where the foot and mouth disease infection has come.” He stated, also: “The Government is very keen to have a veterinary conference with representatives from all countries in Africa, to consider the question of foot and mouth disease.”

Yet certain sections are at work in this country in an endeavour to lift the embargo without full debate in the House. The article also states that due to the slackening of the embargo we also run the risk of importing the ox warble fly, which causes an estimated loss to the Home Country of £3,000,000 per annum in meat and hides, not taking into account its serious disturbance of the peaceful grazing of fat stock and cows in milk. This pest has already been imported into this country, and it is only due to the rigid periodic inspections by the Government veterinarians, coupled with the length of time the animals are on the road (which allows the grubs to migrate to the back), that this pest has so far been kept in check. Lord Bledisloe .said of this fly: “New Zealand is fortunate in being exempt from the appalling injury inflicted upon cattle hides in Great Britain by the ravages of the warble fly. This should materially enhance the market value of New Zealand leather.” Reports decrying New Zealand stock wanting fresh blood had appeared in Home papers, he said, yet the champion Southdown ram at the last Royal Show was a New Zealand bred ram. costing £l2 12s, and the second prize ram in the same class was an imported ram costing over 200gns. The judge of those rams was an advocate for the importation of fresh blood.

He added that Mr. H. S. Vestey, speaking of New Zealand cattle, said: “Most of the cattle you kill for export now are about four or five years old. The best age for chilled beef purposes is from two to three years old. It means selective breeding. That should not be difficult, as you have the stock here.” Mr. Vestey further states: “I have just been through the North Island and could not help noticing the fine cattle country up there and also the number of well-bred beef herds.” The article adds that New Zealand was supplying new blood to the rest of the sheep world, and was also exporting milk cattle, beef breeds and horses. “In view of the baffling nature of foot and mouth disease, the opinions of authorities, the ox warble pest and the fresh blood gag, how,” he asks, can this vital question of the embargo be treated so lightly—as a dose of influenza? “Is it not a matter of first importance, so much so that it should be fully debated in the House? This Order-in-Council business savors too much of a dictatorship, the whim of the few, rightly or wrongly, being thrust upon the many. “New Zealand. stock is able to compete favourably in the with any stock in the world. “New Zealand exports stock to the Argentine, America, South Africa, Japan, China, Chile, Peru and even to Great Britain. “New Zealand holds the enviable position of being the cleanest stock coun-

try, the healthiest stud farm of the world. “We should advertise the fact; we should make it known both here and abroad. We should keep this Dominion the cleanest and healthiest stud farm of the world. If we do that, Our products will sell themselves."