§ 63. Mr. ROYCEasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the grave danger of the introduction of disease into this country by the indiscriminate dumping of the refuse of Dutch potatoes at our ports; and, seeing that specially low freights are quoted by foreign steamers for these cargoes, will he enforce the most rigid inspection in order to avert this danger to agriculture?
The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)All possible precautions are being taken to guard against the introduction of disease by the importation of Dutch potatoes. A close watch is being kept by the Ministry's inspectors to ensure that the potatoes are free from disease, and that all consignments of potatoes imported into this country comply with the Order which requires them to be accompanied by an official certificate of health issued by the exporting country. The certificate must also contain a statement that no case of wart disease has occurred either on or within 500 yards of the premises on which the potatoes were grown.