PROPOSED SCHEME

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 1, 16 January 1937, Page 3

PROPOSED SCHEME

Detalls and Working Of Regulations QUARANTINE PERIOD The regulations, as proposed by the Wellington Central Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union for the importation of live stock into the Dominion, are forwarded to the Hawke's Bay branch of the union in the fcfllowing terms: — An analysis of all arguments for and against the removal of 1922-24 embargo on the importation of live stock direct from Great Britain, permits of the following interpretation: — 1. Carriers. — In view of the fact that professional opinion and public controversy are still undecided regarding the existence or otherwise of the "carrier" case, that possibility must be accepted. 2. Fresh Blood. — It must be recognised by all opposed to the lifting of the present "embargo," that, whatever their attitude may be, live stock is being imported, and will continue to be imported by individual breeders and importers. The necessity or otherwise for "fresh blood" now, or in the future, is a question for the Breed Societies. 3. Existing Embargo: It is generally accepted, and must be apparent, particularly to those opposed to the lifting of the so-called "embargo," that the present loose and absurd method of indirect importation must be revised by Government regulations if quarantine requirements are to accomplish or mean anything at all. ■ .With a view, therefore, to tightening up the present unsatisfactory and perhaps dangerous methods of importing British stud stock, it is proposed to request the Minister of Agriculture to agree to the following control measures: — (a) Ah embargo on all livestock from Great Britain or other foot and mouth disease country, for direct or indirect importation, subject to (b) Selected shipments through - breed societies, when necessary, such direct importations to be governed by the following regulations: — BREED SOCIETIES ' PART. 1. Purchase of Stock: (a) All consignments of stock to be through breed societies, by arrangement with the Minister of Agriculture, either for sala within the Dominion or on cpnsignment to individual breeders. (b) All selected stock to be sent out in collective consignments at intervals to be arranged, or when sufficient numbers.are offering. (c) Breed societies to provide or nominate an expert or experts, to select suitable animals aceording to the standard of excellence for the breed. (d) No stock to be selected or accepted for export to New Zealand, from any farm or stud which haB been within a foot and mouth declared area during the tWelve months prior to the date of selection. (o) No stock to be^ selected for export to New Zealand, which has been within a declarejl area or suspected place, within twelve months prior to selection. 2. N.Z. Government Contrql Measures in Great Britain: (a) All animals bef ore leaving the home farm to be examined by the qualified veterinary surgeon appointed or nominated by the New Zealand Government. (b) All such animals to be certified as free from all noticeable and other diseases, and passed as constitutionally sound by the veterinary surgeon indicated in "A'' (c) The veterinary officer to certify that the farm and stock, have not been within a declared area or suspected place at any time during the twelve months immediately prior to the removal. Similar declarations to be provided by the owner or vendor. (d) All New Zealand consignments to be lcept apart from consignments for other countries, which have not been purchased under similar conditions. (e) The veterinary officer of the New Zealand Government to undertake or eooperate in carrying out the necessary test to ensuro freedom from notifiable diseases. (f) Despatch of accepted stock to the British quarantine station to be arranged and supervised by the veterinary officer nominated in "a" above.

BRITISH REGULATIONS. 3. British Quarantine itegulations: All selected animals to be subject to the British quarantine regulations regarding eligibiKty for entry to the station, despatch to the quarantine, and release for export. 4. New Zealand ' Government Supervision for the voyage: (a) Removal oi animals from the British quarantine station to be supervised by the veterinary officer to accompany them on the voyage. (b) All stock to be dipped or sprayed, or otherwise treated with disinfeetants or approved antiseptie solution before removal from the quarantine station in England. (e) All gear and utensils to be used in comieetion with the animals on the voyage to be new. (d) All selected or quarantined stock to be transported at all times, where necessary, in thoroughly disinfected vehicles, and lcept apart ffoin consignments for other countries which have not been selected or quarantined under similar conditions. (e). On the voyage, each consigninent shall be under the charge of a qualified veterinary surgeon provided by the New Zen land Government. (f) All fodder and bedding shall be sent Home, freight free, under the control of the New Zealand Government. (g) The veterinary surgeon, who is to accompany the animals on the voyage must exanline all stock immediately before shipment, and must report by certifieate freedom from obvious disease. (h) The veterinary officer in charge of animals ftboard ship must notify the New Zea-

out break of disease or illness amongst land authorities immediately of any the animals, (i) No Stock to be temporily landed at any port of call on the voyage out nor shall other stock be allowed on the ship with selected consignments from Great Britain. (j) No fodder, "bedding, vegetables or other material likely to cary infection of foot and mouth disease shall be taken on board at ports of call. 40-DAY QUARANTINE. 5. New Zealand Government Control Measures in New Zealand: (a) The period of quarantine in New Zealand shall not be less than forty days. (b) There shall be one up-to-date quarantine station in New Zealand, in order to keep the consignment together as long as possible. (c) All stoek before being landed in New Zealand shall be again exa-mined by a senior veterinary officer of the Department of Agriculture or a board of veteronary officers, when certaifieation of freedom from disease is necessary. 6. Other Control Measures: (a) All regulations regarding the use of foreign paeking materials — e.g., hay, straw, for boxed consignments, and similar materials for paeking foreign. plants and shrubs — to be carefully overhauled and aiore strictly enforced. (b) Regulations regarding the destruetion for all ships' garbage, at. ports of call in New Zealand to be carefully examined and overhauled if necessary. These to include, the prohibition of disposal of ships' garbage by dropping overboard, within the harbour or wharfs, or in such a way that it may reach the beaches. (c) The prohibition of bringing ashore of all vegetables and meat from vessels engaged in trading with foot and mouth disease infected countries.