STOCK FROM BRITAIN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20897, 29 November 1937, Page 4

STOCK FROM BRITAIN

IMPORTATION OPPOSED Bv Telegraph-Press Association INVERCARGILL, November 26. Opposition to any lessening of the restrictions on the importation of stock from Great Britain and other countries affected with foot and mouth disease, was expressed by the Southland Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union at its meeting to-day. It was decided to supply branches with more details of Mr Lloyd Hammond’s proposals for direct importation, and req est an opinion on the question. Mr E. K. Sim said that the Meat and Wool Committee recommended that the president (Mr A. R. Johnston) mak” a statement on Mr Hammond’s proposals for the replacement of the embargo with restricted importation providing for any stock shipped to New Zealand spending 12 months in a disease free area before shipment. Mr Johnston said that the executive was not asked to consider the lilting of the embargo, but to consider proposals which, in the opinion of some, were more rigid than the existing restrictions, and would make the chances of foot and mouth disease entering the country slighter than ever.The question was simply whether f-rmers would favour the replacement of the existing conditions by the new proposals. The scheme would permit the direct importation of stock from infected countries instead of by the present "back door” method through other countri-:. The question had a new and tremendous importance as a result of the present serious outbreak of the disease in England. Those who advocated Mr Hammond’s proposals were aware of the danger of the dis—se and were as horrified as others at any possible introduction into New Zealand. They were convinced, however, that the risk would be as slight as if not slighter than under the existing method.