FORM FILLING “A FAIR COW”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31079, 7 June 1966, Page 19

FORM FILLING “A FAIR COW”

“Entering New Zealand? It’s a fair cow, we know, but all this form-filling and customs examination has its purpose. Every New Zealander’s livelihood depends upon it,” says an amusing new pamphlet now being handed to new arrivals.

Foot and mouth disease has never gained entrance to New Zealand but “you could bring it here,” the pamphlet says. “Our livelihood depends on keeping over 57 million (fourfooted) New Zealanders free from the disease.” Warning is given that meat, ham, bacon, sausage, salami, poultry, eggs or any egg or animal products may carry the disease.

Other carriers may be soil, animals, reptiles, fish or birds (“alive, stuffed, or mounted”)’, skins, horns, feathers, insects; saddlery, horse rugs, etc.

“Please declare everything you have and, if in doubt about an article, talk with the port agricultural officer at your arrival point,” says the pamphlet. “A few items are totally prohibited but he’ll let

you keep anything that can be made safe by fumigation or quarantine.

“Haeremai. May your stay in New Zealand be long and happy,” say the sponsors, the Department of Agriculture.

“New Zealand is so far free from many plant and animal diseases common in other countries. Let’s keep It that way,” says another pamphlet addressed to outgoing passengers.

“It’s dead easy to include articles in your baggage which are proven carriers of foot and mouth disease. And ‘dead’ is the operative word. Death and slaughter will follow the smallest outbreak of this deadly and highly-con-tagious disease. A widespread outbreak could cripple New Zealand’s pastoral economy.” The pamphlet asks those returning to consult the department before they leave or New Zealand trade representatives overseas if they want to bring back items which may be carriers. -

“And when you return there’ll be no place like home,” it ends.