COLONEL GILPINasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether he is aware that animals imported into this country from Holland, and passed by the Inspectors, have on several occasions shortly afterwards shown symptoms of pleuro-pneumonia; and, whether as this disease is known to prevail in Holland, he considers a quarantine of only twelve hours a sufficient security?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERsaid, in reply, that he had received no information that animals imported into this country from Holland, and passed by the Inspectors, had on several occasions shortly afterwards shown symptoms of pleuro-pneumonia. Complaints had been made that in two three instances such was the case; but on instituting inquiries it was found that there was no ground for the complaints made. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman knew of any special case, and would bring it under his notice, he should be glad to inquire into it. Pleuro-pneumonia existed in Holland, as it did in this country, and it had not been thought right to prevent the importation of animals from Holland on account of a disease existing there, which disease also existed in this country. He did not think it right to make the quarantine longer than at present. The quarantine of 12 hours was the minimum, and it was a quarantine of 12 hours in daylight, and the Inspectors had power to detain animals longer on the ground of suspicion. He might mention that there was reason to believe that the introduction of store cattle had been of very considerable advantage to the farming interest, as the introduction of fat cattle had likewise been of benefit to the consumers.