ADMIRAL FIELD (Sussex, Eastbourne)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received any Report upon the outbreak of anthrax on a farm in Chalvington, Sussex, in the occupation of Mr. Woodhams in June last; how many cattle have died or been affected by the disease; whether it is true that one or more of the farm servants died of the disease; whether any steps were taken by the Department, by advice or otherwise, to assist the tenant in dealing with the disease; and whether the law permits of compensation being paid for the loss of the cattle?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. H. CHAPLIN, Lincolnshire, Sleaford)Yes, Sir, I have received copies of the Reports made by the Medical Officer of Health and the Sanitary Inspector on the subject of the outbreak of anthrax to which my hon. Friend refers. Twenty-one cattle and two horses have been attacked with the disease, and all have died, whilst a farm servant, by whom one of the animals was killed, became infected with the disease, with, I regret to say, a fatal result. At my desire, the Chief Veterinary Inspector of the Board of Agriculture visited the farm on two occasions and gave all the 319 advice and assistance in his power. The law does not provide for the payment of compensation for the loss of animals, which, as in the present instance, have died of disease.