§ MR. HARDY (Kent, Ashford)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the steamer "Tanagra" arrived at Gravesend on Thursday affected with foot-and-mouth disease; whether she put back to sea to throw overboard 283 bullocks and 452 sheep dead with disease; and whether the Board has taken any steps to prevent the recurrence of this dangerous proceeding, such, for instance, as have already been taken by Belgium.
* MR. LONGOn the arrival of the "Tanagra" at Gravesend, the loss of 284 cattle and 467 sheep from foot-and-mouth disease during the voyage was reported. At the moment I am unable to say at what particular stage the carcases were thrown overboard, or whether or not any breach of the law has taken place, but inquiries are being made on these points. I may add, however, that the vessel put back to sea not to throw carcases overboard, but to dispose of the fittings and manure, a course which, as I am advised, is by far the safest means of preventing infection.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)Is it not the case that the Belgian authorities are prohibiting the importation of cattle from Argentina in consequence of these proceedings; and will the right hon. Gentleman take similar steps if necessary?
* MR. LONGWe have long before this prohibited the importation of cattle, and this is exactly the kind of accident that occurs in consequence of no sufficient notice of such prohibition being given. 882 The owner of a ship is unable to unload her here, and puts back to sea in order to get rid of the prohibited cargo, and then we have no control over him. We have endeavoured to avoid occurrences of this kind. Our laws are really stronger than those of Belgium.
* MR. LONGWe have prohibited the importation of cattle from Argentina, but in order to prevent those occurrences we have, by special grace, allowed ships at sea with cargo to complete their unloading here.