§ Mr. LAURENCE HARDYMay I inquire whether the President of the Board of Agriculture or other Minister can give any information as to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Kent?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Lewis, for Mr. Runciman)On the afternoon of Saturday, 30th ult., suspected foot-and-mouth disease at Willmington Farm, near Ashford, Kent, was reported by Professor Cave, veterinary inspector to the local authority; the following day (Sunday) one of the veterinary inspectors of the Board visited and found typical lesions in two cows and one heifer, and the existence of disease was confirmed by the chief veterinary officer. There were seventeen cattle, seven pigs, and 466 sheep on the farm; the valuation and slaughter of all these animals was ordered forthwith and is now proceeding. An Order prohibiting the movement of animals within a fifteen-mile radius was also made the same day, and became operative thereupon. The most recent movement of animals off the farm was on the 19th ult.; the animals then moved are being traced. There has been no movement of animals on to the farm for some three months, except that of certain animals for breeding purposes. Illness was first noticed in a heifer on Thursday, the 28th ult. No cause can at present be assigned for the outbreak.