HC Deb 12 June 1882 vol 270 cc808-9
MR. HENEAGE

asked the Vice President of the Privy Council, Whether his attention has been called to the recent prosecutions under the Animal Contagious Diseases Acts at Sleaford; and, whether the Department agree with the magistrates that foot and mouth disease and foot rot can be so easily mistaken that several hundred sheep affected with the former could be allowed to spread the disease through several counties, without anyone being made responsible; and, if that is the opinion of the Privy Council, whether they will issue such further information as would protect small farmers of no great veterinary experience from being convicted from no fault of their own; and prevent persons who knowingly allow the removal of animals suffering from contagious diseases to the public injury from escaping the penalty?

MR. MUNDELLA

Sir, I have seen a Report of the proceedings under the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act at Sleaford, which were instituted by the local authorities, and in which the Privy Council were in no way concerned. The Veterinary Department is satisfied that foot-and-mouth disease and foot rot are perfectly distinct diseases, and that no competent veterinary inspector ought to mistake the one for the other. It is not necessary to issue any detailed information to the public on the subject of the symptoms of this or any other disease, because the owner of an animal suffering from any kind of illness, whether a contagious disease under the Act or not, can relieve himself of all further responsibility by giving notice of the fact to the local inspector, who is bound to attend immediately and report to the local authority. Article 122 of the Animals Order is as follows:— Optional Notice of Disease or Illness.—Any person having in his possession, or under his charge, an animal affected with disease, or with any illness, or suspected of being so affected, besides giving such notice to a constable, as ho is required by Section 31 of the Act of 1878 to give, may, if he thinks fit, give notice of the fact of the animal being so affected, or suspected, to the inspector of the local authority. No person, therefore, is justified in pleading ignorance as an excuse for spreading disease.