HC Deb 13 June 1912 vol 39 cc1026-7
2. Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that an interval of six months has elapsed since the stamping out of the last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in England, that contrary to previous experience the restrictions of the Argentine Government upon the importation of English live stock have not yet been removed, and that the Royal Agricultural Society's show, at which a large business in pedigree stock of every description is usually transacted with the agents of Foreign stock-owners, takes place in the first week in July, he will, in the interests of English stock-owners, make representations to the Argentine Government with a view to the immediate removal of the existing embargo?

120. Mr. LANE-FOX

also asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state what steps, if any, he proposes to take to urge upon the Government of the Argentine Republic the reopening of their ports to the pedigree stock of the United Kingdom, in view of its complete immunity from foot-and-mouth disease; and whether he will, if possible, endeavour to secure such reopening of the ports before the Royal Agricultural Society's show-on 1st July, in view of the important sale transactions generally associated with that show?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman)

Perhaps I may be allowed to answer this question and question No. 120, addressed to me by the hon. Member for Barkston Ash, together. I am informed that a Decree was issued by the Argentine Government on 11th instant removing the restrictions on the importation of British live stock.

Mr. C. BATHURST

I have a large number of telegrams which have come from Buenos Ayres during the last fortnight to various importers of stock in this country; would it not be possible for the Government to notify the Argentine Government six months after this country has ceased to be affected by any serious contagious diseases of animals?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

There is no point in notifying the Argentine Government, because they have already removed the restrictions of their own free will.

Mr. STANIER

Can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to make the information public so that the people interested may know?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Oh, yes; naturally we will give it the widest possible publicity so that exporters of livestock in this country may know that the restrictions have been removed.