HC Deb 25 June 1907 vol 176 cc1141-2
MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, can he state whether there has ever been a well authenticated case of swine fever having been imported into Great Britain from Ireland; if so, can he state when the importation took place; whether he is aware that swine fever has been much more successfully dealt with in Ireland than in Great Britain; can he state who is responsible for the passing of the Order restricting the importation of Irish pigs; and what other restrictions, if any, on the movement of animals between Ireland and Great Britain are in force.

SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

We are aware of over 100 cases in which swine fever has been found to exist in pigs which had quite recently been landed from Ireland, and in which the circumstances place it beyond reasonable doubt that the infection was contracted in that country. Since the present restrictions have been in force only one or possibly two such cases have occurred. The number of outbreaks of the disease in Ireland is less that the number in Great Britain, but in the differing circumstances of the two countries no fair comparison can be made. The Board of Agriculture are responsible for the regulations governing the importation of animals into Great Britain, and the Irish Department for those governing importation into Ireland, and I may point out that, while we have only imposed restrictions with regard to pigs, those of the Irish Department extend to all classes of stock, including horses.

MR. BOLAND

What was the date of the importation?

SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

I must ask for notice of that Question.

MR. BOLAND

asked who was responsible for the passing of the Order, and whether the law officers of the Board of Agriculture had been consulted before it was put into force.

SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

The Board of Agriculture, of course, is responsible.

MR. BOLAND

Was the opinion of the law officers to the Board of Agriculture taken before the Order in Council was issued?

[No Answer was returned.]