§ MR. KNOXI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he is aware that hides of animals which 841 have died of rinderpest are being sold to hide merchants in the Bechuanaland Protectorate; and whether he will direct, that the carcases of the dead animals should be burnt, so far as possible, in order to prevent the spread of disease?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI have no information as to the hides of animals which have died of rinderpest being sold, but I have directed that, so far as possible, the carcases should be either burnt or buried, the hide being first slashed.
§ MR. KNOXI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture, what are the regulations concerning the importation of hides from Africa; and what steps he is taking to prevent the introduction of rinderpest in this form into the United Kingdom?
§ * THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Liverpool, West DerbyIt has not hitherto been found necessary to impose any special regulations with reference to hides imported from countries affected with cattle plague, and in the case of Africa I am advised that, owing to the treatment to which the hides are subjected, the length of time which must necessarily elapse between their removal from the animal and their arrival in this country, and the fact that when landed they are not brought into contact with living animals or handled by persons likely to come into such contact, there is practically no risk attached to their importation. The subject is one, however, which naturally causes anxiety, and the hon. Member may rely upon my taking immediate action should any necessity arise.
MR. FIELDasked the right hon. Gentleman whether it would be practicable to prevent the importation into this country of hides from these affected areas?