§ MR. HERMON-HODGE (Oxfordshire, Henley)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that an epidemic of infectious fever, resembling influenza, is prevalent amongst horses in New York; and whether, in view of the fact that more than one-half of the horses imported into this country come from the United States of America, he can inform the House what steps are being taken at our ports to discover, and, if possible, to check, the importation of infected animals.
§ * THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. HANBURY,) PrestonIn answer to inquiries through the Foreign Office as to the reported epidemic amongst horses in New York I have received the following telegram—
Mild and local epizootic laryngeal influenza prevalent in New York and Brooklyn. Horses for export to United Kingdom, which are chiefly drawn from Western and Middle States, appear to be unaffected. All horses are examined before shipment by Government inspectors, and as yet none are reported to have been rejected; they are kept in Government stock yards, and have little chance of infection.The local authorities at most of the principal ports are continuing to inspect imported horses as they arrive. At the port of London we are taking steps to supplement the information obtained at the other principal ports by inspection on the part of our own officers. Upon the results of this inspection will depend the question whether there is sufficient evidence of disease to require further administrative action.In reply to a further Question, which was very indistinctly heard—
§ * MR. HANBURYsaid the Government inspectors so far had only been at work in the port of London three or four days.