IMPORT OF STOCK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 245, 28 July 1937, Page 8

IMPORT OF STOCK

PROPOSALS CONDEMNED THE DANGER OF DISEASE. (Per Press Association.) MASTERTON, July 27. The emphatic opinion is expressed by Sir Wiliam Perry, a member and lately deputy-chairman of the Meat Board, that the proposed new foot-and-mouth diseaso regulations to govern the importation of stock from Britain—put forward for consideration by the Wellington central provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union—are in themselves impracticable and unworkable, and would in some respects establish worse conditions than those now existing. The leading features of the proposed regulations. Sir William observed, made it very evident that they must have been framed by someone who had not had any experience of importing live-stock, and did not understand the practical problems raised or ‘the difficulties entailed. The proposal that livestock should be imported in collective consignments, through breed societies, was quite impracticable. That stud stock breeders might be enabled to improve and raise the standards of quality, they must individually be free to select animals of the right type, as and when they, required them. Under a system of collective importation, through breed societies, stud breeders would he asked to work more or less /blindfold.

“Needless Cost.” It was.proposed that stock should ho imported either for sale within- the Dominion, or on consignment to individual; breeders; but a breeder who was required to make his importations as part of a group consignment would ba hampered seriously in his operations, and put to needless cost and delay. Group importation for sale might fail completely to meet the requirements of' New Zealand breeders and who, in that case, was to take the responsibility and bear any loss incurred? There was, of course, no objection to the importations of individual breeders being made through the Department of Agriculture. The great point was that each breeder must be free to use hisj own expert knowledge in importing stock that would meet the particular requirements and objectives he had in view. Stud stock must be imported, also, at such times as would fit in with seasonal operations—this was the. strongest objection to group shipments. The proposal that New Zealand should institute measures of veterinary control in Great Britain, Sir William declared, was an insult to the British authorities who had instituted strict and comprehensive measures of control, based on the jmost authoritative scientic advice. The measures of quarantine and other control enforced in, Britain, were as rigid and exacting as could well be advised. Other countries not protected by any means to the same extent as New Zealand by the factor of distance admitted British livestock through ordinary quarantine. Of all the veterinarians in New Zealand there were only two who thought this country would incur any risk by doing the same. It had been proved in extended working experience that the; British quarantine and control arrangements were absolutely safe. The proposed veterinary supervision of stock during the voyage out to this country: would simply lie an unnecessary expense.

Risk From Garbage. It was, of course, right, Sir William said, that imported stock should he brought direct to New Zealand without being landed at any port of call, and that every possible precaution should be taken in fodder and bedding. There was a far greater risk of foot-and-; mouth disease being imported through the medium of straw and other vegetable materials, meat, ships’ garbage, etc., than of its being introduced in livestock. Tho whole question should be considered and dealt with from the standpoint of common sense in the light of the advice of competent veteri-: narians and other scientific experts. This country greatly needed such specimens of beef cattle as could be obtain-, ed from Great Britain, and there was plenty of room here also for more firstclass Southdowns.