STOCK DISEASES.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17991, 9 April 1930, Page 2

STOCK DISEASES.

PREVENTING THEIR INTRODUCTION. A POLICY OF PRECAUTION. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. “It can readily be realised that British farmers And it difficult to understand why the importation of cattle, sheep, and pigs from the United Kingdom is still prohibited, notwithstanding the establishment of a quarantine station at London in which animals for export are kept under quarantine conditions for two weeks before being shipped,” said the Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Agriculture, to-day. “ This period is ample to enable foot and mouth disease to manifest itself in any animal infected before entering the station. In considering this it is necessary to hear in mind the fact that New Zealand is free from many serious diseases existing in older countries and that the Government and the farmers of the Dominion have alwavs been deeply impressed with the necessity for doing all that is possible to prevent the Introduction of any of these complaints. Hence a geneial policy of precaution which may appear extreme in some respects is held to be warranted in the circumstances and this general principle is fully endorsed by the farming community. ” Information lately received from the High Commissioner’s office is to the effect that the quarantine station at the London docks is working very satisfactorily and it is sincerely to be hoped that the strenuous and thorough measures taken by the authorities in the United Kingdom to stamp out the disease will prove successful. *• While the Dominion is still self contained as regards a number of breeds there are others for which a new cross is needed and the question of how to meet this position will soon require consideration.”