HC Deb 03 March 1908 vol 185 cc542-5
MR. COURTHOPE

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the order prohibiting the import of hay and straw from countries where foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent has yet been issued; and whether such order deals in any way with hay and straw used for packing.

* MR. J. A. PEASE

The Board hope to be in a position to issue the order to which the hon. Member refers in the course of a day or two, and so soon as the necessary arrangements have been made with the Board of Customs. It will not apply to hay or straw which is used for packing, merchandise.

MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY (Limerick, W.)

Why has not the order been extended to hay and straw used for merchandise?

* MR. J. A. PEASE

The advisers of the Board are of opinion that that is not necessary for the protection of the herds of the country.

MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY

Is this hay and straw inspected before it is sent to this country?

* MR. J. A. PEASE

I am not aware that it is.

MR. COURTHOPE

Why has there been such a long delay?

* MR. J. A. PEASE

Communications have been made to the Board of Customs, and any apparent delay is due to the communications which must necessarily pass between the two Boards. It is hoped that in forty-eight hours the regulations will be issued.

MR. CHAPLIN (Surrey, Wimbledon)

Are the Board satisfied that none of the outbreaks which have occurred before are attributable to infection from packing straw brought from other countries?

* MR. J. A. PEASE

The right hon. Gentleman is probably thinking of the outbreak of 1885. The Board of Agriculture are in communication with the Central Chamber of Agriculture on the subject. But so far, they have no reason to attribute the outbreak to packing straw, as suggested by one particular authority.

* MR. CHAPLIN

The matter is one of such grave importance that I must press the point. What I desire to arrive at it this: Has the Board any evidence to satisfy them that there is no danger of this disease being imported from abroad owing to the use of packing straw?

* MR. J. A. PEASE

I cannot say that the experts of the Board of Agriculture are satisfied that it is impossible for the disease to be introduced in that way; but they are of opinion that the risk in connection with the use of materials employed in packing is so small in comparison with the great injury that would be done to trade by restrictive regulations that, pending investigations, they are not inclined to extend their regulations to packing straw.

MR. COURTHOPE

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture; whether hay and straw imported as packing with manufactured articles is sold as litter for urban cow sheds and stables; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent infection being carried in this way.

MR. J. A. PEASE

The Board have no information to show how far the practice to which the hon. Member refers obtains. The suggestion made in the latter part of the Question has been frequently considered by my noble friend and his predecessors in office during the past twenty-five years. The view taken has always been that it would not be possible effectively to control the movement in this country of hay or straw used for packing imported merchandise. The Board are, however, in communication with the Customs on the subject in order to obtain more detailed information as to the effect of such a measure upon all concerned.

MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY

Will the Board of Agriculture see that hay and straw thus brought in is burned?

MR. J. A. PEASE

I do not think the Board of Agriculture are prepared to adopt any measure of that kind without further information. They are communicating with the customs on the subject with a view to considering what changes would be required if the order were extended to packing materials.

* MR. CHAPLIN

When do the Board of Agriculture expect to have this information? May I point out that every hour's delay in this matter may be serious?

MR. J. A. PEASE

There will be no unnecessary delay in obtaining; the in formation in regard to the trades1 affected by this matter.

MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY

Will the Board find out if this hay and straw after being used for packing purposes is used for litter, and will steps be taken to prevent its being sold for that purpose?

MR. J. A. PEASE

That subject is under consideration, but the Board have no evidence at the present time that it is used for litter.