HC Deb 03 March 1884 vol 285 cc360-1
MR. DUCKHAM

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Whether any inquiry has been made to ascertain the correctness of the report that the cargo of Herefords landed at Portland on the 2nd of February from the Ontario, contracted foot and mouth disease at Liverpool during their detention before embarkation; and, whether it is correct that the Veterinary Inspector at Portland has certified that they were free from the disease when they were landed?

MR. DODSON

An inquiry has been made, in the course of which it was ascertained that the Herefords taken out on beard the Ontario were untrucked at Liverpool in the Canada Dock Station of the London and North-Western Rail-way, the place in which the temporary cattle market was held while Stanley Market was closed. We have no information about the certificate of the Veterinary Inspector at Portland. The information in the telegram we received, dated Portland, February 19, was that some of the animals developed foot-and-mouth disease a day or two after landing in the quarantine ground at Deering. As the regulations of the United States authorities require animals that are found on landing to be diseased to be quarantined elsewhere than at the regular quarantine ground, it would appear that these animals did not show disease when landed.