HC Deb 23 February 1914 vol 58 cc1379-82
12. Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

asked whether it has been clearly ascertained that foot-and-mouth disease, with which many animals from various parts of Ireland were found last week on their arrival at Birkenhead to be affected, originated not in Ireland, but at Birkenhead; if so, whether he has traced the cause of the outbreak; and what steps he has taken at this and other English ports to prevent a repetition of so unusual an occurrence?

Mr. HERBERT LEWIS

I regret that up to the present careful investigation and inquiry have not revealed the origin of the infection which caused the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Birkenhead lairages. A joint conference between the veterinary officers of the Board and of the Irish Department will take place at Birkenhead as early as possible this week, and in the meantime no definite announcement can be made.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Is it not only fair to the Irish Department and the Irish stock owners that this method should be cleared up as soon as possible?

Mr. LEWIS

The Board of Agriculture are fully impressed with the necessity of clearing the matter up as soon as possible.

14. Mr. C. BATHURST

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will give full particulars of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle at Low Fell, near Gateshead; in the county of Durham; how many animals have been found to be affected with the disease; what precautions have been taken to prevent its spread and what is deemed by the Board to be the origin of this outbreak?

Mr. HERBERT LEWIS

The existence of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed at Greenwell House Farm, Law Fell, Birtley, on the 19th inst. On the infected farm there were twenty-nine animals, namely, one bull, twenty-three bullocks, two heifers, and three calves. At the time of the investigations of the Board's veterinary inspector two animals were found to be affected with the disease, and prior to the completion two more animals were found to be affected. The slaughter of all the animals, with the exception of three was completed by the evening of the 20th, and the remaining animals were slaughtered early on the morning of the 21st inst. The disease amongst all the infected animals was found to be in the very early stage. No cattle had been moved on to Greenwell House Farm since August last. Certain animals had recently been moved from the premises, namely, one calf, on the 29th January, since slaughtered, and two heifers, moved on 16th inst., which have been traced, and when examined on the 20th inst., were found to be free from the disease. The Board have deemed it desirable, however, in the circumstances, to order these two heifers to be slaughtered, and eight cows which had been in contact with them are being traced, and when found will be kept under observation. An Order prohibiting the movement of animals along, over, or across a highway within a radius of approximately fifteen miles from the disease centre was made on the 19th inst., and communicated to the local authorities by telegram. No probable clue to the origin of the outbreak has been discovered.

Mr. BATHURST

I should like to ask the hon. Gentleman whether he proposes now or later in the day to make any announcement to the House on the subject of the more recent outbreak announced in this morning's papers?

Mr. C. BATHURST

I beg to ask the Junior Lord of the Treasury if he can give the House any particulars of the reported outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Worcestershire?

Mr. HERBERT LEWIS

A telegram was received on Saturday afternoon that foot-and-mouth disease was suspected at Brook Farm, Bradley Green, near Redditch, Worcestershire, amongst twelve cattle which had arrived on licence from Birkenhead lairages on 10th February. A veterinary inspector of the Board at once proceeded to investigate this report, and visited the premises, accompanied by the district inspector. A telegram was received from the veterinary inspector on Sunday morning that he was satisfied that foot-and-mouth disease existed on the premises, and at 11.10 a.m. he reported by telephone that two animals out of a consignment of twelve Irish two-year-old cattle were affected. These animals had been moved to the premises from Birkenhead lairages on 10th February, and arrived at Droitwich station by train, whence they were driven a distance of about six miles to the premises on which they now are. On arrival at the premises they were well isolated from the remainder of the stock on the farm. On 20th February one of the animals was noticed by its owner to be ill, and on the 21st a report was made to the police. The lesions in the affected animals are described as acute and typical in the mouth and feet of one animal, and as not so advanced in the other animal. The veterinary inspector at Birkenhead, who was apprised of this report on Saturday afternoon, telegraphed that the twelve store cattle, above referred to, were landed from the s.s. "Carlow," ex Dublin, on 31st January, were isolated at Birkenhead, and licensed out to the above premises on 9th February. Upon arrival at Birkenhead they were mouthed, and thereafter inspected daily. They were also mouthed immediately prior to movement by licence. This information, together with the name of the consignor and consignee of the animals, was also telegraphed by the inspector direct to the Irish Department, who were also notified on Sunday that the existence of disease has been confirmed. An Order was issued on Sunday prohibiting the movement of animals along, over, or across a highway in an area of approximately fifteen miles' radius from the infected premises.

Mr. KILBRIDE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is a fact that these cattle were detained for nine days at Birkenhead, and that they had left Birkenhead and had been on the farm for some days before the outbreak was discovered? Is the period of ten days that which is generally considered to be the period of incubation? I wish to know whether the hon. Gentleman's Department was not satisfied that when these cattle left Ireland they were perfectly immune from disease, and must have contracted it either at Birkenhead or elsewhere in England?

Mr. HERBERT LEWIS

In this case undoubtedly the period of incubation of ten days, as stated by the hon. Gentleman, has been exceeded.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Do I understand from the hon. Gentleman that it was clearly ascertained from what places in Ireland these cattle came?

Mr. HERBERT LEWIS

I believe that information has been obtained.