TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10768, 14 May 1913, Page 2

TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE.

COMPENSATION TO OWNERS

Mr A. A. Johnston, F.R.C.V.S., hai supplied for publication the following particulars of the circular recently UN sued by the Board of Agriculture at Home in connection -with the arrange* ment made by the Treasury to refund to the local authorities half the net amount payable as compensation for slaughtered animals: — The order aims at securing the de> strueticu of every cow found to bo suffering from tuberculosis of the udder, or to be giving tuberculous milk, as well as of all bovine animals which are suffering from' tuberculosis i with emaciation, since these are known to disseminate freely the germs of fcho disease. Local authorities are charged with the duty of investigating report* received under the order, with the a»» sistance of a veterinary inspector, with a view to -ausing the slaughter of any animal affected. The inspector is empowered to extend his examination to other animals that have been associated with the jene suspected, in order that he may take steps to deal with ani which in his opinion present clinical symptoms of the disease. Local authorities are required to cause every animal found by them to be suffering from one of the sneeifleq forms of tuberculosis to be slaughtered. The compensation! payable in cases in which the post-mortem . examination does not show tuberculosis, is a sum equal to the full value of the animal and a further sum of 20s. Where tn« berculosis is found, the proportion of the value of the animal payable by waj of compensation is to depend upon the extent of the disease which is present. The order prescribe* tb« precautions to be taken in respect qi the milk, and so on, of suspected ani« mals and their detention and isolaljjon whilst under suspicion. Provision if also made for dealing with suapiciout animals exposed at nwketa, fairs, of sales.

"The Board adds the oil* cular, " that publio opinion is favour* able to the adoption or concerted mee> sures designed to check the spread of tuberculosis throughout the countary. No such action can be satisfactory which fails to make provision for deal. ing with the disease in the animal, but it should, the Board feela t carry with it a full measure of pubho sympathy and support. The payment to am. culturists of reasonable compensation for animals slaughtered in the publio. interest must in the opinion of the Board he an essential feature of any well-devised scheme for gradually reducing the prevalence tuberculosis in animals. ;■■•.-.

" On the other hand, the liability of the Treasury and of the local authority to provide such compensation on the present basis from publio fundi it m serious one, and cannot be continued unless events show that a return com* mensurate with the burden imposed if being obtained. It behove* agriculturists, therefore, to second the efforts of the public authorities by the segregtff tion of all bovine animals which re* spond to the tuberculin test, so as Mi prevent tuberculosis from being spread within the herd, and the Board will be prepared to advise how this can has* he done in particular cases;"