§ MR. BEAUFOY (Lambeth, Kennington)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that cattle disease exists in Spain and Portugal; and whether he can now withdraw the notice prohibiting the importation of cattle from those countries?
§ MR. CHAPLINI do not know about Portugal, but I am satisfied that disease exists in Spain. The Order prohibiting the importation of live animals from Spain and Portugal took effect from 31st March last, and on 29th April I received information from Cadiz that foot-and-mouth disease had broken out in the district of San Roque. I have since been informed that the same disease has been discovered in other districts, and in Cadiz itself. I cannot consent, under any circumstances, to withdraw the Order in question so long as there is any danger of the importation of disease from the Continent; and what has occurred in the case both of Spain and of Holland proves, I think, conclusively that the danger was not over estimated by the Board of Agriculture.