HC Deb 29 October 1912 vol 43 cc235-8
55. Mr. LARDNER

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether a firm has notified his Department that they had in their hands an infallible remedy for foot-and-mouth disease guaranteed to cure in twenty-four hours the most hopeless case at a cost of under £l, and offering to furnish the Board with tests; and whether the reply given to their representation by his Department was practically that the Board of Agriculture did not desire to find a remedy to stamp out the disease, but preferred to have the animals slaughtered and compensation for them paid out of public funds?

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

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative. Any arrangement for enabling animals affected with foot-and-mouth disease to be immediately treated would be attended with considerable danger of the spread of infection, and I am confident that a more drastic policy is desirable in the interests of all concerned.

70. Mr. FRANCIS MEEHAN

asked the Vice-President whether he will now withdraw the restrictions imposed on portions, of the parishes of Killargue and Cloon-clare, having regard to the fact that they are four and five miles beyond the 15-mile radius from the seat of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in county Fermanagh, and that these restrictions will, if continued, have the effect of ruining the fairs in the towns of Manorhamilton, Dromahair, and Drumkeerin, and thus deprive farmers of their only available means of raising money to meet their liabilities?

Mr. RUSSELL (Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, Ireland)

Of the parishes named the only portions which lie within the scheduled district are the electoral divisions of Kill-arga, Cloonclare, and Glenfarn, which constitute scarcely one-third of the area of those parishes. Except for a portion of Killarga these electoral divisions are within a radius of fifteen miles from the centres of infection in county Fermanagh, and as an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease occurred in that county so recently as the 5th instant it would at present be premature to exclude any of the divisions from the scheduled district. The towns of Manorhamilton, Dromahair, and Drumkeerin, being all outside the scheduled district, are not subject to any restrictions.

Mr. F. MEEHAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the farmers who want to drive their cattle through these districts, scheduled, to the fairs of Manor-hamilton, Drumkeerin, and Dromahair, are prevented from doing so; and whether the right hon. Gentleman will withdraw the restrictions, seeing that the district council passed a resolution condemning the action of the Department in having this district scheduled in the area?

Mr. RUSSELL

I cannot undertake to answer supplementary questions in regard to these areas. It is a very difficult matter.

Mr. O'DOWD

Seeing that the whole of Connaught is free from disease, will he see this area is freed from restrictions?

Mr. RUSSELL

I must ask for notice of these questions.

72. Mr. GINNELL

asked why animals found infected with foot-and-mouth disease at Mullingar were not promptly isolated, but were left for several days among other cattle or driven along the roads without restriction; why inspectors from the Department go straight from infected animals into close proximity to healthy cattle without using any visible precaution; and whether he has taken effective action to have those practices discontinued?

Mr. RUSSELL

All animals found affected were promptly isolated pending slaughter in sheds or houses where such moans of isolation existed on the premises, or, where no such means existed, were restricted together with those in contact with them in the field in which they were found infected. No affected cattle were driven along the roads. Inspectors on all occasions disinfect themselves when leaving infected premises. Inspectors working on infected places do not visit non-infected places.

Mr. GINNELL

Has the right hon. Gentleman's Department not received from the county council a resolution identical with this question, and does the Vice-President accept the statement from his own subordinates whose conduct is impugned against that of men on the spot who are vitally concerned?

Mr. RUSSELL

I know from my own knowledge that the reply I have given is perfectly accurate. I have not seen-any resolution from the county council.

Mr. GINNELL

Will the conduct of the officials of the Department be comprised in the inquiry which is promised?

Mr. RUSSELL

If the county council makes any charge against the inspectors of the Department in connection with this matter of course it will be investigated.

Mr. C. BATHURST

How long has the period of isolation of these diseased animals to last before they are slaughtered?

Mr. RUSSELL

The slaughtering at Mullingar has been carried out under great difficulties. As I stated before, the disease is confined to the town park and the difficulty of burial has been very great, but within a week more than 500 animals have been slaughtered. I hardly think they could have done better.

Mr. STANIER

Do they not cremate any of the animals?

Mr. RUSSELL

No.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the practice of the British Board is to slaughter all diseased animals immediately they are discovered?

Mr. RUSSELL

We have carried that out as far as possible in Mullingar.