§ 90. Mr. WILLIAM NICHOLSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in the case of a valuable pedigree herd of cattle becoming infected with foot-and-mouth disease, the Slaughtering Order of the Board is enforced, or what is the procedure usually followed by the Board in such a case?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThere is no obligation to slaughter animals affected with foot-and-mouth disease. Slaughter is carried out if considered necessary or desirable with the view of preventing the spread of disease. Where the policy of 232 slaughter is adopted, the animals to be slaughtered are valued by a competent valuer, and if the owner within fourteen days of the receipt of notice of the valuation does not give a counter notice disputing it, the compensation is paid on the valuation of the animals. The compensation is, in the case of an affected animal, the value before it became affected, and of any other animal, the value immediately before it was slaughtered.
§ 91. Mr. NICHOLSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether any inquiry has been made as to the cause of the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the Isle of Wight and at Hindhead; and, if so, whether he can state the result of the inquiry?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe most exhaustive inquiries have been made with a view to ascertaining the source of the outbreaks referred to, but I regret to inform my hon. and gallant Friend that no evidence has been obtained which throws any light on the matter.