§ MR. WILBRAHAM EGERTONasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether his attention has been called to a fresh outbreak of foot and mouth disease which occurred on the 25th ultimo at Dukinfield, and which has been traced to an Irish cow recently imported, and purchased on the 13th 273 April from a drover at Ashton under Lyne; and, whether the vessels which bring cattle from Ireland are thoroughly disinfected and cleansed after each voyage?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThe outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease which occurred at Dukinfield on the 25th ultimo may have been traced to an animal of Irish origin; but we have no doubt whatever that the disease was contracted after landing in England. There has not been a single case of the disease reported in Ireland since October, 1879. And although we are constantly receiving complaints that Irish cattle convey the disease, we are able in every instance to trace that the animals have been some time in England before developing it. Stringent regulations have been issued by the Privy Council, both in England and Ireland, respecting the cleansing and disinfection of vessels carrying animals, and whenever they are found to be infringed the owners of the vessel are prosecuted. We have one such prosecution pending now. We are constantly hearing it stated that Irish cattle bring over disease; whereas the fact really is that Irish cattle contract disease after their arrival in this country.