§ MR. J. E. GORDON (Elgin and Nairn)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland why expensive formalities are necessary when shipping sheep and cattle from Scotland to Ireland, whereas no similar difficulties are met with when transporting live stock from Ireland to Scotland?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIn order to guard against the introduction of disease into Ireland, the importation of cattle and sheep from Great Britain has, for many years past, been prohibited, except with the consent of the Lord Lieutenant. Such consent is given for the importation of cattle for breeding purposes on satisfactory evidence that the cattle are free from disease, and that they have not been in any district infected with pleuro-pneumonia, or in contact with diseased cattle. Pleuro-pneumonia has, at great expense, been eradicated from Ireland, no outbreak having occurred there since September, 1892. On the other hand, the disease has continued to exist in Great Britain. Several outbreaks occurred in England during last year, and a further outbreak occurred in January of the present year. Although Scotland appears to be free from pleuro-pneumonia, there is entirely free movement of cattle between England and Scotland, and in these circumstances it is not considered desirable to make any change in the existing conditions regarding the importation of cattle into Ireland. Sheep are allowed to be imported if accompanied by a veterinary certificate of health and a declaration that they have not been in contact with diseased or suspected animals. Sheep-scab is very prevalent in Great Britain. No cattle or sheep are allowed to be exported from Ireland to Great Britain until they have been examined by a Veterinary Inspector at the port of embarkation, and certified to be free from disease.