§ 26. Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease which have occurred in England and Wales for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; the number of counties in 1832 which these outbreaks have occurred; and how many of these outbreaks have been reported during the last six weeks?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)During the 12 months ended 9th December, 1927, 80 outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease occurred in England and Wales in 17 counties. Of these outbreaks, 34 (in four counties) have occurred during the last six weeks.
§ 28. Mr. CRAWFURDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that the chief veterinary surgeon of the Ministry of Agriculture has been in South America since last April investigating the whole system of dealing with the export of beasts to this country and that it is now proposed that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry should now join him there, he can state why it is necessary for the Parliamentary Secretary to go to South America instead of the chief veterinary surgeon being brought back to report; the nature of the negotiations the Parliamentary Secretary is to conclude with the South American authorities; how long he will be absent; and what is the estimated cost of his visit?
§ Mr. GUINNESSIn March the Ministry asked three of the Governments of the countries in South America which export meat to this country to accept certain proposals which were designed to prevent the introduction of the virus of foot and mouth disease into Great Britain. With the consent of these Governments, Mr. Frood, a senior veterinary inspector of the Ministry (not the chief veterinary officer) was sent to South America more fully to explain these proposals to the Governments concerned and to collaborate with them in adapting them to local conditions. Mr. Frood has been given every facility to study the disease position, and reports that he has reason to believe that the Governments of the South American countries concerned will find a way to give effect to the Ministry's suggestions. The Parliamentary Secretary, who is going on a pleasure cruise to Rio de Janeiro, will extend his voyage to confer with representatives of the Argentine and Uruguayan Governments and Mr. Frood, in the hope of completing the negotiations in relation to measures for the control of animal diseases which these countries propose to adopt with a view 1833 to removing risk of transmission of foot-and-mouth disease to this country. He will he absent for about seven weeks altogether. The estimated cost to the Ministry is £50.
§ Mr. HANNONIs it not of great importance to the settlement of this question in South American countries that the Parliamentary Secretary should visit South America personally and confer with the authorities?
§ Mr. CRAWFURDIs it not also important that our own diplomatic representatives on the spot should be utilised for this purpose?
§ Mr. GUINNESSThey have, and they have been most useful; but the negotiations have reached such a stage that I think it will be of value for the Parliamentary Secretary to be able to take part in them.
§ Mr. HURDHas the right hon. Gentleman considered the reasons which caused the United States to take a line entirely opposite from that which he is taking on this matter?
§ Mr. GUINNESSThe action taken by the United States is to prevent animal diseases being brought in, particularly rinderpest.
Dr. VERNON DAVIESHas any meat contaminated with foot-and-mouth disease been brought into this country from South America
§ Mr. GUINNESSWe have no evidence of that.