ERADICATION OF TB

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 13 May 1961, Page 13

ERADICATION OF TB

Low Local Incidence

Excellent progress had been made in the South Island with tuberculosis eradication in both factory and supply herds, the chairman of the provincial dairy section of North Canterbury Federated Farmers (Mr J W. Overton) said in his report to its annual conference.

Christchurch town supply herds had an incidence of less than J of 1 per cent, of the disease. Factory supply herds also had a low reactor rate. "With the incidence even lower in beef cattle, the South Island is indeed most fortunate by comparison with the North Island, where a real problem has yet to be tackled." Mr Overton said. Tuberculosis eradication in the North Island was somewhat retarded in comparison with the South Island, Mr Overton said later in the meeting when the disease was being discussed. In the Waikato there were 50 vacancies for sharemilkers on a 50/50 basis. The sharemilker supplied the herd, and the State Advances Corporation would advance up to £2500, but he had to bear the cost of replacements. "At present the sharemilkers don't appear to be prepared to take the risk," Mr Overton said. The voluntary basis was not satsfactory. Mr W C Miller said that the problem was similar to the hydatids scheme for dogs. “You have to get public opinion behind it—when the voluntary scheme fails something will have to take its place,” he said.