§ 35. Sir FREDERICK RICEasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware, in connection with the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among the cattle on a farm at Elmstead, that this is causing concern to the local farmers, who believe that the free importation of Dutch potatoes in skips covered with sacking often re-used may be the cause of the infection; and whether he will take steps to obtain information on this point and as to whether the sacking to the skips should be immediately destroyed in the same way as the straw packing is destroyed from potatoes sent from different parts of the Kingdom to the eastern counties?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)Inquiries into the case in question have revealed no connection between imported potatoes and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. My information is that very rarely do skips and their sacking get on to farms where they would be brought into contact with animals, and I am advised that there is no necessity at present to take action on the lines proposed by my hon. Friend. I am, however, having the position carefully watched.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWould it not be safer if we kept out all foreign food from coming into this country, and thus kept up prices for the farmer?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGECan the right hon. Gentleman say if he has been able to establish any connection between wrappings of any kind—hay, straw, and such like—coming from the Continent and foot-and-mouth disease?
§ Mr. GUINNESSNo; we have no evidence whatever, but if the farmers suspect these forms of packing material the remedy is largely in their own hands. They can take steps to prevent such packing material from being brought into contact with cattle.