§ 21. Lieut.-Colonel WINDSOR-CLIVEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any investigations have been made as to the possibility of foot-and-mouth disease being caused by imported fertilisers; and, if so, what has been the result of such investigations?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)The discovery of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee that the virus of foot-and-mouth disease remained alive in the marrow of bones for a considerable period led to the prohibition of the import of bone and bone products from the Continent of Europe. Subsequently, manures of animal origin were admitted under licences, subject to certain conditions, particulars of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend. Fertilisers from countries outside Europe are sufficiently sterilised or sun-dried to enable them to be transported through the Tropics.