HC Deb 16 January 1913 vol 46 cc2240-1
37. Mr. GUINEY

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, in view of the fact that one of the veterinary inspectors of his Department attributed the cause of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Ballysax to the animals being bedded with

material imported into Ireland as packing used on French wines, cattle disease being at that time existent in France, and as Ireland is now free from disease, he will, in order to prevent a recurrence of the disease through these channels, remove one of the sources of contagion by recommending the issue of an Order compelling the burning of all hay and straw packing coming from countries where foot-and-mouth disease exists?

Mr. RUSSELL

The Departmental Committee appointed by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries had the subject of this question before them, but hesitated to make any recommendation in the sense suggested by the hon. Member mainly on the ground that it would be a serious interference with the general trade of the country. The hon. Member is aware that short of compulsory legislation the Department has taken such steps as were possible to ensure the destruction of all such material.

Mr. GUINEY

If the authorities with whom the right hon. Gentleman's Department is in communication refuse to burn this stuff, will it not be a source of contagion in the future?

Mr. RUSSELL

Well, under the circumstances, we have done all that it is possible to do.