TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1921, Page 8

TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE.

A DECREASE NOTED. The director of the live stock division of the Agricultural Department. Mr. A. R. Young, again reports a de crease in the percentage of cattle and swine found to be affected with tuberculosis. In regard to bulls, however, there is a slight increase. During the year the condemnations for tuberculosis by stock inspectors on the farm or in the yards were 320 l (a decrease of 10 on the figures for the same period last year), this number being distributed among the district superintendents’ districts as folio w5 —Auckland, 1547; Wellington, 1210 ; Canterbury, 362; and Otago, 132. A further analysis of the figures again shows Marlborough and Nelson cattle as being remarkably free from the disease, cnlv five being condemned in the former and three in the latter district for the 12 months. These districts, continues the report., are in an enviable position, and constitute an ideal ground for the commencement of a campaign with a view to the cleaning up of. the herds of the Dominion, as regards this disease. The importance of this step in maintaining the health of the community undoubtedly warrants the matter being taken up bv instituting a tuberculin test of the cattle in these districts in the first instance, and maintaining the herds in a healthy condition by testing all new entrants to the district and retesting at regular intervals all the animals therein. This system could then be gradually extended to other districts offering suitable conditions. The initial expense involving a payment of cora--1 pensation would no doubt be considerablv treater than at present, hut the results obtained would, I am sure, amply repay the Dominion, and the anr.ual sum of over £20,000. which this alone now draws from the consolidated fund in compensation for cattle condl.,n„e<l. would ulthnalelj dnnunsh, while, >n respect to she more healthy condition of cows generally, the gain to the Dominion would not be estimated in money alone, but in the greater freedom from the risks of contagion passing to the human subject.