EMBARGO TO REMAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 188, 11 August 1931, Page 8

EMBARGO TO REMAIN

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE MINISTER'S ANNOUNCEMENT [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Aug. 10. The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. A. J. Murdoch), has advised the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, that in view of the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Great -Britain the Government has decided to maintain the embargo on the importation of cattle, sheep, and pigs from that country. Recent advice received by the Farmers’ Union states that the Highland and Agricultural Show, which opened at Edinburgh on June 23, was robbed of over 1500 entries by the Government’s embargo on the movements of cattle, which had also disorganised many other important fixtures. Fifteen fresh outbreaks had occurred during the previous week-end, hundreds of cattle were being slaughtered, and British farmers were faced with huge financial losses. The Dominion conference of the Farmers’ Union recently strongly protested against the removal of the em bargo, and also against the importation of stock from Great Britain through other countries such as Canada. The Royal Agricultural Society’s conference also considered the matter, a motion favouring the importation of stock subject to certain conditions being narrowly defeated by 18 votes to 16.

MENACE TO STOCK

OUTBREAK IN BRITAIN LONDON, June 25. On Sunday night the Ministry of Agriculture had received reports of 32 confirmed outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and another eight suspected cases. The Minister has made an order prohibiting all movements of cattle, sheep, and swine throughout the country, except under license, which is limited to fat stock for immediate slaughter. It seems probable that the source of infection is Ireland, where the existence of foot-and-mouth disease was reported last week. The outbreaks in England and Scotland were discovered among store stock recently imported. All landings from Ireland have been prohibited since June 17. The standstill order, which the Min istry is enforcing with the assistance of the police, must inevitably cause a serious dislocation of business by preventing the holding of ordinary markets (writes the agricultural correspondent of The Times). But farmers are prepared to accept this as an essential safeguard against the further spread of infection until the situation is under control. Fortunately, the main seasonal movement of store cattle within the country and from Ireland has been completed, but a number of Irish cattle were distributed through the southern counties, as well as the north, in the early part of last week. After a few day. it may be considered possible to cancel movement restrictions in the south, but this would be risky and inadvisable at the moment. According to reports made by the Ministry’s veterinary officers who are dealing with the outbreaks, the disease is appearing in virulent form. Every effort is being made to stamp out infection by the slaughter of all affected stock and contacts, but it will be a few days before the full seriousness of the position can be appreciated. Everyone will hope that prompt action by the Ministry has prevented a repetition of the outbreaks of 1923-24, which cost the country about £4,000,000, including compensation paid for the animals slaughtered to stamp out an epidemic. Our policy of slaughter may seem expensive at a time like this, but it is sound national economy. Reference to statistics shows that Continental cOuntrie suffer a heavy toll of their live stock year after year through the ravages of the disease, though the effects may not be fatal. The vigorous policy pursued to keep this country free from infection is fully justified by our comparative immunity in recent years. Moreover, we have a valuable export trade in pedigree stock to the Dominions. Their ports are closed against livestock from any country where foot-and-mouth disease exists. Extensive use is being made of the new anti-foot-and-mouth serum, which was first brought into prominence six months ago. A Ministry research officer said: “All contact suspects have been followed up and inoculated. This is the first time the serum has been tried on a large scale, and none of the inoculated animals has so far sickened. As the serum process is, however, still largely experimental, the Ministry have had to pursue the drastic policy of im mediate slaughter.” Ihe first casualty list showing the slaughter of animals includes 1200 : cattie, 1800 sheep, 100 pigs, valued approximately at £50,000. The dislocation of trade has also added a heavy burden to the farmers.