“UNWORKABLE”

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20257, 28 July 1937, Page 7

“UNWORKABLE”

STOCK REGULATIONS. IMPORTS FROM BRITAIN. SIR W. PERRY’S CRITICISM. (by Telegraph.—Press Association.) MASTERTON, Tuesday. The emphatic opinion is expressed by Sir William Perry, a member and lately deputy-chairman of the Meat Board, that proposed new foot and mouth disease regulations to govern the importation of stock from Britain, put forward for consideration by the Wellington central provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union, are' in themselves impracticable and unworkable, and would in some respects establish worse conditions than those now existing. The leading features of the proposed regulations, Sir William observed, made it very evident that they must have been framed by someone *'ho had not had any experience of Importing livestock, and did not understand the practical problems raised or the difficulties entailed. A proposal that livestock should be imported in collective consignments through breed societies was quite impracticable. In order that stud stock breeders might be enabled to Improve and raise standards of quality, they must individually be free to select animals of the right type as and when they required them. 44 Working Blindfold.” Under a system of collective importation through breed societies, stud breeders would be asked to work more or less blindfold. It was proposed that rtock should be imported either for sale within the Dominion or on consignment to individual breeders, but a breeder who was required to make his Importations as part of a group consignment would be hampered seriously In his operations and put to needless oost and delay.

Group importation for sale might fail completely to meet the requirements of New Zealand breeders, and who, in that case, was to take responsibility and bear any loss incurred? There was, of ooursO, no objection to the Importations of individual breeders being made through the Department of Agriculture.

The great point was that each breeder must be free to use his own expert knowledge in importing stock that would meet the' particular requirements and objectives he had in view. Stud stock must be imported also at such times as would fit in with seasonal operations. This was the strongest objection to group shipments. Control In Britain.

A prospal that New Zealand should institute' measures of veterinary control in Great Britain. Sir William declared, was an insult to the British authorities, who had instituted strict and comprehensive measures of control, basel on the most authoritative scientific advice. The measure's

of quarantine and other control enforced in Britain were ns rigid *nd exacting as could well be devised. Other countries not protected by any means to the same extent as was New Zealand hv the factor of distance admitted British livestock through ordinary quarantine. Of all the veterinarians in Now Zealand there were only two who thought this country would incur any risk by doing the same. It had bfeen proved in extended working experience that the British quarantine and control arrangements were absolutely safe.

Unnecessary Expense. The proposed veterinary supervision of stock during the voyage out to lids . country would simply he an unnecessary expense. It was, of course, right. Sir William stated, that Imported stock should be. brought direct to New Zealand without.being landed at any port of call, and that every possible precaution should be taken in regard to fodder and bedding. There was a far greater risk of foot and mouth disease being imported per medium of straw and other vegetable materials, meat, 3hip9’ garbage, etc., than of Its being Introduced in livestock. The whole question should be considered and dealt with from the standpoint of common sense in the light of the advice of competent veterinarians |; and other scientific experts. This country greatly needed such specimens j of beef cattle as could be obtained . from Great Britain, ami there was j; plenty of room here also for more flrst-class Sontlulowns.