FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1931, Page 2

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

THE EMBARGO QUESTION. (/!)/ Telegraph —Per Press Association) BLENHEIM, May 21. ,V Marlborough Express reporter yesterday afternoon sought the opinion of Mr F. N. Dillon, who has just returned to Blenheim after a lengthy period of residence in England, on the question of whether the embargo on the importation of ped'igitee stock into New Zealand should be.lifted, explaining that the local farmers’ organisations were strongly opposed to it on account of the risk of introducing foot and mouth disease. Mr Dillon said that ho would not venture to advise the farmers on tlie subject, but he personally did not think that there was much to lie feared from lifting the embargo. He knew that foot and mouth disease was a very dire thing, but the control in England was extremely strict, and very particular precautions were taken with it. He dud not think the Dominion could go on much longer without importing

fresh blood from England, as it had never been possible to find a satisfactory substitute for English sires. Provided that adequate care were observed in the selection and quarantining of stock, both in England and New Zealand, lie did not believe that there would be a serious risk in lotting English stock into the country.