QUARANTINE OF STOCK

Chronicle (Levin), 27 June 1946, Page 6

QUARANTINE OF STOCK

-Press Association

/ REVISION OF SYSTEM

Bv Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, June 26. A rovis,ion of th.e'present quarantine system for stoek being imported into New Zealand, so tliat they eould come direct to this country, was forecast by the Director-General of Agriculture, Mr. Fawcett, when speaking today to tlie CQuference of delegates of A. and P. Assoeiations. N "It would get rid of all tliis messing around necessary at present," he saiii. A quarantine station would be ostablislied at Auckland on one of the isla'nds in the harbouf, it was proposed. An embargo was placed on the dirept importation1 of stock from overseas, particularly from United Kingdom, said Mr. Fawcett. Stock at iirst "was lielri up in a quaraiitine station in Canada or Tasmania for three months. Later this was reduced to oue month now the legality of tliis procedure was being questioned. Tasmania had asked questions and Canada liad indicated she might have to deprive New Zealand of the use of lier station tliougli she did not want to. This created a problem for tlie Dominion tliat needed serious consideration. He did not think tliat with proper quarantine at the other cncl and a coastal station here, there wa. an'y worry about any disease such as foot and moutli disease, so stock could be brought direct from United Kingdom. At prosent other nations besides New Zealand were interested in gettiug 'new livestock. Some competition for the best was likely so a more expeditioua way of importing into this country seomod desirable. . A quarantine station was proposed for Auckland. There had been one there but the Navy had taken it over. Somes Island in Wellington Harbour was of no use because about 90 per cent. of overseas ships went to Auckland Iirst. Later the meeting passed a roniit from the Northern district couuci'l tliat a{5 Auckland was tlie Iirst port of caii for many overseas steamcrs earrying livestock,' a suitablc quarantine station sliould be- established tlierc.