TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE.

Waipa Post, Volume V, Issue 214, 23 May 1913, Page 4

TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE.

COMPENSATION TO OWNERS

The following particulars of the circular recently issued by the British Board of Agriculture in connection with the arrangement made with the Treasury to refund to the local authorities half the net amount payable as cempensation for slaughtered animals are supplied to a Christchurch paper by Mr A. A. Johnston, F.R.C.V.S.: —

“ The order aims at securing the destruction of every cow found to be suffering from tuberculosis of the udder, or to be giving tuberculosis milk, as well as of all bovine animals which are suffering from tuberculosis with emaciation, since these are known to disseminate freely the germs of the disease. Local authorities are charged with the duty of investigating reports received under the order, with the assistance of a veterinary inspector, with a view to causing the slaughter of any animal affected. The inspector is empowered to extend his examination to other animals that have been associated with the one suspected, in older that he may take steps to deal with any which in his opinion present clinical symptoms of the disease.

“ Local authorities are required to cause every animal found by them to be sufftring from one of the specified 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 tuberculosis is found the proportion of the value of the animal payable by way of compensation is made to depend upon the extent of the disease which is present. The order prescribes the precautions to be taken in respect of the milk, and so on, of suspected animals and their detention and isolation whilst under suspicion. Provision is also made for dealing with suspicious animals exposed at markets, fairs, or sales. “ The board believes,” adds the circular, “ that public opinion is favourable to the adoption of concerted measures designed to check the spread of tuberculosis throughout the country. No such action can be satisfactory which fails to make provision for dealing with the disease in the animal, but it should, the board feels, carry with it a full measure of public sympathy and support. The payment to agriculturists of reasonable compensation for animals slaughtered in the public interest must in the opinion of the board be an essential feature of any well-devisecl scheme for gradually reducing the prevalence of 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 public funds is a serious one, and cannot be continued unless events show that a return commensurate with the burden imposed is being obtained. It behoves agriculturalists, therefore, to second the efforts of the public authorities by the segregation of all bovine animals which respond to the tuberculin test, so as to prevent tuberculosis from being spread within the herd, and the board will be prepared to advise how this can best be done in particular cases.”