§ 23. Mr. LONGasked whether cattle have been introduced from abroad; and, if so, by what power and under what conditions?
§ Sir H. VERNEYI assume that the right hon. Gentleman refers to the 562 importation which took place on the 1st August last of sixty Holstein cattle from Holland. The importation was sanctioned under the powers conferred on the Board by Section 1 (1) (b) of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1896, which exempts from the general requirement of slaughter at the port "foreign" animals intended for exhibition or other exceptional purposes. In the Board's opinion the urgent need for introducing fresh blood in the breed of Holstein cattle in this country constituted an exceptional purpose. The conditions under which the landing was permitted are prescribed generally in Part II. (Quarantine) of the Third Schedule of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, and I am sending the right hon. Gentleman a memorandum giving full particulars of the strict quarantine which was actually imposed on the cattle for three months after their arrival in the country.
§ Mr. LONGWhy does the Board regard as of exceptional importance the introduction of new blood for Holstein cattle when the circumstances with regard to the introduction of new cattle from abroad are the same to-day as they were five years ago?
§ Sir H. VERNEYThe Board dealt with this question of Holstein cattle as being urgent and exceptional.
§ Sir H. VERNEYIt was considered by the Board as a case of urgency. I know that the right hon. Gentleman holds very strong views about cattle, and there are very strict regulations with regard to quarantine.
§ Mr. LONGI must ask the hon. Baronet the same question, though perhaps in a different form: Is he not aware that there are in the country a great many breeds of foreign cattle; that since the precautions which have now been adopted for a long time were adopted the Board have consistently refused to allow the introduction of foreign cattle for any purpose; and if a departure from this rule is now permitted in order to introduce new blood for this breed what is to prevent cattle from 563 being imported to supply fresh blood for every other breed of foreign cattle, as there are several of such breeds?
§ Mr. CHAPLINIs not the action of the Government in this matter a distinct breach of the only safeguard against the reintroduction of pleuro-pneumonia into the country, namely, that the animal shall not leave the foreign wharf alive?
§ Sir H. VERNEYIt was following the precedent recognised as a good one by the late Lord Onslow.
§ Mr. CHAPLINI never recognised it in the least, and that is no answer to my question. Is it not an admitted fact that the slaughter of the animal at the port of landing is the only sure and complete safeguard against the reintroduction of pleuro-pneumonia, which was exterminated from this country at enormous expense not very many years ago?
§ Sir H. VERNEYThat is not the view taken by the Board of Agriculture in this case.