The Waikato Independent THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1930. FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2304, 27 February 1930, Page 4

The Waikato Independent THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1930. FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.

The discussion by the Egmont A. and P. Association of the possibility of the introduction of the dreaded "foot and mouth" disease among New Zealand live stock draws attention to the fact that after many months of endeavour by British, authorities the disease is still rife in the "United Kingdom. On the Continent of Europe nearly every country is more or less affected, a condition which seriously influences the export trade in meat for the British market. So far destruction of affected animals and all contacts appears to be the only means of controlling the disease that has" any marked effect. Scientists the world over arc investigating the origin of the disease and experiments in regard to conferring immunity upon unaffected live stock are still under way. What the introduction of | the disease to New Zealand would cost the country is incalculable. It might mean the decimation of dairy herds in certain districts and would certainly interfere very seriously with export of frozen meat. Although there is every reason to believe the Minister of Agriculture and his expert advisers are fully alive to the importance of kcep--1 ing the disease out of this country, they have the' support of the-farming; community in whatever action may be deemed necessary to this end. The question was raised of the importation to New Zealand from America of dairy stock bred in the Channel Islands, from which locality direct imports of livestock arc prohibited'on account of the risk of their introducing foo't,_,.and mouth disease. It may bo that a tightening up \>f the regulations in this respect may .be deemed necessary, and the fact that it has been suggested by a farmers', organisation will certainly I warrant* the proposal receiving the most careful consideration by the responsible authorities. In all disorders prevention is better than cure. So far as foot and mouth disease is concerned prevention is the only effective weapon and must be used no matter what mn» be the immediate cost or the effect upon the stud stock of the Dominion.