TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1754, 20 May 1913, Page 10

TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE.

COMPENSATION TO OWNERS.

The following particulars of tho circular recently issued by the British Board of Agriculture in connection withV.tho arrangement made with 'the Treasury to refund to th® local authorities half tho net amount payable as compensation for slaughtered animals are supplied to a Ciinstchurch' paper by Jlr. A. A. Johnston, I'.R.C.V.S. "The order aims at securing the 'destruction of every cow found to be suffering from tuberculosis of the udder, or to be giving tuberculous milk, as well as of all bovine animals which are suffering from tuberculosis with emaciation, since theso are known to disseniinate freely the germs of tho disease. Local authorities are charged with the duty of investigating reports received under tho order, with the assistance of a veterinary inspector, with a view to causing the slaughter of any animal affected. The inspector is empowered to extend his examination to other animals that have been associated with 'the one suspected, in order that he 'may take steps to deal with any which in his opinion present clinical symptoms of tho disease.

"Local authorities are required to causo every nnimal found by 'them to bo suffering irom one of the specified forms of tuberculosis to bo slaughtered. Tho compensation, payablo in cases in which tlio post-mortem examination docs , not show..tuberculosis, is a sum equal'to tho. full value of tho animal and a further sum of '20s. Where tuberculosis is found, the proportion of the value of the animal payable by way of compensation is made to'depenil upoil the extent of the disease which is present. The order prescribes the precautions to be taken in respect of the milk, and so on, of suspected animals and their detention and isolation whilst under suspicion. Provision is also made for dealing with suspicious animals exposed at markets, fairs, or sales. "Tlio board believes," adds the circular, "that public opinion is favourable to the adoption of concerted measures designed ■to check the spread of tuberculosis throughout the country. No such action can be satisfactory which fails to make provision for dealing with the disease in the animal, but it should, the board feels, carry with it a full measure of public sympathy and support. The payment to agriculturists of reasonable compensation for animals slaughtered in the public interest must in the opinion of the board b» an essential feature of any well-de-viled scheme for gradually reducing the prevalence »f tuberculosis in animals. "On 'the other band, the liability of the Treasury and of the local authority to provide s'ucli compensation on the pre--eiit basis from public funds js a serious ~ne and cannot be continued unless events -how 'that a return commensurate with the burden imposed is being obtaincd It lu'lioves atfncu]tun?U, ihoieiJie, In second the efforts of'tlio public an. ionties bv the segregation ot all bovine animals which respond to the tuoerculin test, so as 'to prevent tuberculosis Iron, being spread within the herd and- the board will be prepared lo advise how this can best be done in particular cases.

DAIRY . PRODUCE SHIPMENT. CHEESE BY THE lONIC. The steamer lonic, which sailed lor London last week, took tko following shipment of cliecso from Now Zealand, totalling in all 12,4GS orates: — New Plymouth 3,200 Paten Wanganui "i Wellington 3,388 Lyttelton ' r, ' i D.iiiedin s'l Bluff 2." iu The onlv butter shipped by Iho vessel was 30 boxes, L! 1 of which were from New Plymouth, and 9 from Wellington.