FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1938, Page 3

FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE

THE POSITION IN BRITAIN SEVERE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, April 12. Foot and mouth disease, the recent outbreak of which, caused the largest standstill order for British cattle and stock ever issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, was the subject of a debate in the House of Lords. The Earl of Feversham, replying for the Government, said after the last epidemic, which began in the southeastern counties, this further series of outbreaks was a great disappointment. It was essential to check any further distribution of the disease by the movement of animals and it was necessary to obtain a breathing space so that it would be possible to track down every single animal which might have been exposed to infection. “We hope to complete our investigations at an early date,” he said. “We hope that the actual spread of the infection will not prove to be so serious as we had at first anticipated. If within the next few days this view is confirmed and the Minister is satisfied that the spread of the disease has been checked, we anticipate that a substantial reduction of the control area will be possible even if it proves impossible entirely to withdraw the order covering those parts which are nearest to the infected area. “Local restriction measures have been studied over a number of years. They have stood the test well. They represent what is practicable in this country and I think, comparing the outbreaks in this country with the outbreaks on the Continent, you will unanimously agree, that the regulations are effective. The Government would prefer to rely on the existing restrictions and the powers which the owners have in keeping people off their lands and on the slaughtering policy rather than on measures the inconvenience of, which will outweigh any possible advantages which might be derived from them.”