§ 60. Mr. HOUSTONasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the shortage of meat in this country and the difficulties in obtaining supplies of frozen or chilled beef and mutton from abroad, he can arrange for the removal or rescission of the prohibition to import live cattle from North and South America, which would be slaughtered on arrival in the abattoirs already in existence for this purpose, where every precaution is taken against the importation of foot-and-mouth disease; and whether he is aware that in nearly every ship arriving from North and South America, owing to the heavy nature of the cargo carried, there is ample space for the carriage of live cattle?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Richard Winfrey)No prohibition on the import of live cattle for slaughter from North America has ever existed, though on occasions the entry of cattle from certain States has been prohibited owing to the existence of foot and mouth disease. As regards animals from South America, the Order of 21st September, 1915, allows landing for slaughter of animals brought from a number of countries, including Argentina and Uruguay. The Board have no knowledge whether vessels coming from North and South American ports have space available for animals, but any reference in the matter to those concerned with shipping has met with a reply that there was no available space.