LIFTING FAVOURED

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1935, Page 9

LIFTING FAVOURED

EMBARGO ON LIVESTOCK FARMERS’ UNION OPINIONS. “DANGER FROM OTHER SOURCES.” NEED FOR PRECAUTION STRESSED. The proposed lifting of the embargo on the direct importation of stock from Great Britain to New Zealand was favoured by the North Taranaki executive of the Farmers’ Union at New Plymouth yesterday. Members considered that there was every possibility of foot and mouth disease reaching New Zealand eventually not through direct importation but through other channels, such as packing materials for merchandise. The executive qualified its approval of the lifting of the embargo, therefore, by withholding that approval until the Government wave an assurance that there was ade- ' quate machinery to deal with any outbreak. The meeting was of the opinion that with the precautions and regulations suggested there was far less risk of the introduction of the infection by direct importation than there was by the present roundabout route. Mr. D. le C. Morgan, secretary, reported that in response to a letter from the Department of Agriculture in connection with the communications from England on the lifting of the stock embargo he had sent the resolution placed on the minutes some time ago. His reply to the Minister was to the effect that the executive was more concerned with the facilities for dealing with an outbreak than the necessary stringent regulations for importations. From the details given by the department it was noticed that although the regulations were strict and advisable the department had not dealt with the question of an outbreak should it occur. REPLY TO DEPARTMENT. An immediate reply had been wanted, said Mr. H. E. Blyde, president, and he had felt, the subject being contentious among nearly all branches, that the best that could be done was to forward the previous resolution of the executive carried about 18 months ago. The action of the president and secretary in forwarding the previous resolution was confirmed. , Mr. H. A. Hunt (Midhirst) said the Ngaere branch had approved the lifting of the embargo providing precautions were taken, and Mr. Morgan said the Okoke branch had moved against it. Mr. J. F. Phillips (Urenui) opposed the lifting of the embargo, saying New Zealand lent itself to the spread of the disease. Outbreaks were still occurring in England and the incidence was usually close to a forest. Mr. J. H. Paulger (Tikorangi) said he had once been in favour oi the embargo, but he was now against it. He thought there was no more risk of the disease being introduced by direct importation than by the present roundabout route. He thought that infection was much more likely to be introduced by straw and packing. Mr. Hunt said it was now necessary to get the goodwill of England more than ever. He thought the precautions were such that New Zealand was running mo great risk. Mr. H. C. Sorrenson (Hillsborough) said the policy of isolation could not be carried out for ever. Two outbreaks in Australia had been stamped out, and the machinery in New Zealand was sufficient to enable the eradication of an outbreak in New Zealand, although the climate was different. Nevertheless the possibility of infection through stock was almost negligible. Mr. Blyde summarised the arguments for and against the removal of the embargo. The advocates of direct, importation held that there was no risk, fresh blood was required, other avenues for stock importation were not closed, 'and that public opinion against it was based on ingrained fears and lack of knowledge. It was also stated that the time of survival of the virus was short, there was the possibility of carriers among other cattle, excellent precautions were taken in England and there were control measures in New Zealand. The arguments against the lifting of the embargo, said Mr. Blyde, were that fresh blood was not required, that carriers were possible, that other avenues of infection must be closed, that , there was a personal factor to be considered in the obeying of regulations, that the machinery was not ready in New Zealand to cope with an outbreak, that the nature of the country would favour the spread and that the virus would live 15 weeks in straw. OPPONENTS’ ARGUMENTS. “Opponents of the removal of the embargo,” said Mr. Blyde, “hold that New Zealand has nothing to gain and everything to lose. I think we have to consider all these things and the measures taken in Britain. I am satisfied that with the shipment as proposed there will be absolutely no risk. . I am satisfied, however, that we are running grave risks with the packing that comes round crockery. Regulations state that such packing should be burned, but I know of cases where such packing has been given away for pig bedding. “I think we should confine ourselves to agitation for adequate preparation by the Government to deal with any outbreak through these channels,” concluded Mr. Blyde. “The motion before the meeting is that we favour the lifting of the embargo.” Mr. Sorrenson moved as an amendment that the executive favour the lifting of the embargo when it was satisfied that the necessary machinery for dealing with the disease existed. Mr. Phillips: The Government will assure you that its officers will be able to cope with it. Mr. Blyde: The amendment means that the onus is thrown on the Government rather than the union. Mr. Paulger said he agreed with Mr. Sorrenson’s amendment to a point. “I think foot and mouth disease will come to New Zealand,” he said, “but it will come through other channels than the direct importation of stock, which will be quite safe under the precautions outlined. Foot and mouth disease is raging in most European countries and India, whence we obtain stock and packing. We must do something to meet England.” “I agree with everything Mr. Paulger has said,” replied Mr. Sorrenson, “but with all the controversy, that is going on I think we should insist on all precautions against all possibility of introduction. What we want to do is to be prepared against an outbreak from any source, not to prevent the direct importation of stock only.” The amendment was carried.

Mr. Paulger moved that the Government be urged to enforce the regulations governing the destruction of packing and to take every precaution against the introduction of the disease through any possible avenue. The motion was carried.