§ MR. ARTHUR ARNOLDasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether it is true that an Order has been issued for the compulsory slaughter at the ports of landing of all cattle from Spain and Portugal; and, if true, whether he will state what is the reason for the issue of this Order?
§ MR. MUNDELLASir, I regret to say it is true that the Privy Council have been compelled to withdraw the exemption from slaughter at the port of landing which has hitherto been extended to Spanish and Portuguese cattle. The grounds on which we have revoked this exemption are the outbreak of pleuro-pneumonia in the North of Spain, in consequence of which the French Government have prohibited the importation of Spanish cattle into France; and the prevalence of foot-and-mouth, disease both in the North and South of Spain. We 1077 have not taken this step until after the fullest inquiry, and the most careful investigation on the spot, not only by our own Consuls, but by an experienced English veterinary surgeon. Having satisfied ourselves of the prevalence of disease in Spain, that country ceased to come within the conditions of the Act of 1878, under which alone foreign animals can be exempted from slaughter. The absence of any regulations in Portugal which would prevent the transit of Spanish animals, made it necessary to take the same course with regard to Portugal.