§ MR. BRIGHTTo ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the difficulties caused by the various sheep-scab regulations; and whether he is prepared to substitute for the present rule the system of proclaiming an area immediately round the infected place, and of applying more stringent measures with regard to the movement of sheep to and from, this area.
(Answered by Mr. Ailwyn Fellowes.) I have given careful attention to the representations which have been made to me on this subject. Under the Sheep-Scab Order of 1905 provision is made for the detention of sheep believed to have been in contact with sheep affected with sheep-scab, and under the Sheep-Scab (Compulsory Dipping Areas) Order of 1905, the compulsory dipping of all sheep in a particular area may also to required. In addition, however, it is also necessary to take measures to prevent the spread of the disease from districts in which it is generally prevalent, and it is under this head that some difficulties have arisen in connection with the measures we are taking to stamp it out. I am hopeful that the modifications we have been able to make in our Orders on this subject will remove any serious cause of complaint respecting them. I do not think we could with any advantage increase the stringency of the measures taken on the spot when the disease is reported or discovered.