Farmers Concerned At Incidence Of Hydatids in N.Z.

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 October 1948, Page 2

Farmers Concerned At Incidence Of Hydatids in N.Z.

Concern at the incidence of hydatids in sheep and lambs in spite of the issue oi pills to dog owners, was expressed at yesterday s meeting of the Wanganui provincial executive of Fe> urateu Farmers.

Figures showing the incidence of hyv.... as in the Styx experimental area in the South Island were presented to the meetingon the motion of Mr. W. J. Tripe it was decided to write to the Dej arunem. Ox Agricu ture to see if the Government would make available officers of the department to supervise the dosing of dogs. “There are less dogs getting dosed now than when the pills were first issued,” commented the chairman (Mill. J. DonneLy). He added that the dosing did not appear to be 10b per cent, efficient. It. was stated that many farmers did not give the pills to their dogs because they were hard to give and because of the after effect on the dogs. Others gave the pills and did nut bother lo see whether the dog actually swal owed the tablet, and there were others who did not bother to burn or bury the ordure which might be affected. This, it was stressed, was most important.

“Are you going to dose all the dogs in lhe Maori pas?” asked a farmer when Mr. Tripe moved his motionMr. Tripe; We would have to endeavour to sec that they were all dosed, too.

On the motion of the chairman it was decided to inquire if further research could be made into a more efficient means of controlling the disease. “When the disease leaves the animal and gets into the human body it is a very bad thing," said Mr. H. J. Morgan.