FOOT-AND-MOUTH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20899, 1 December 1937, Page 3

FOOT-AND-MOUTH

THE LIVESTOCK EMBARGO Resolutions passed by representatives of the Ryeland Sheep Breeders’ Society and the Friesian Cattle Breeders’ Association, at meetings held during the Royal Show at Palmerston North, favoured the removal of the present restrictions on the importation of livestock direct from Great Britain. In view of the fact that within a few days of these resolutions being supported fifteen counties in the south of England, and a wide area in Germany, were declared to be suffering from new outbreaks likely to cause these countries great loss, the present is an inopportune time to convince the average farmer that this contentious step should be taken. At these meetings one breeder stated that he was not in favour of lifting the embargo without reservations as to the quality of the stock to be Imported. The implication is that much of the stock which we might import would be inferior to our own, and would have a damaging rather than an Improving influence. That a reversion to “English type” would harm many of our established and improved sheep breeds is unquestionable, and it is doubtful whether this does not apply to all of those of which we now have ample numbers. In view of our rapidly expanding livestock export trade a more valuable precaution would be to rigorously inspect all stock destined for export from our shores to provide overseas purchasers with an assurance that they would receive no inferior animals from us.