§ 43. Sir ROBERT THOMASasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that cattle having foot-and-mouth disease in one stage or another are slaughtered in the Argentine and the carcases exported to this country, he will state why he prohibits the importation of all carcases from Argentine cattle slaughtered at Zeebrugge and yet allows the importation of chilled quarters of beef from the Argentine to be increased from 3½ millions in 1922 to 6½ millions in 1927?
Mr. GUINNESSThe export to this country from Argentina of the carcase of an animal which is affected with foot-and-mouth disease, or which has been in contact with affected animals, is prohibited by Argentina law. South American cattle landed on the Continent and slaughtered at Zeebrugge are regarded by the Ministry as European cattle, carcases of which are prohibited from entering this country by the Importation of Carcases (Prohibition) Order of 1926, because experience has shown that fresh carcases from Europe are likely to introduce disease to Great Britain.
§ Sir R. THOMASDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it is much easier to check this disease in live animals than in frozen meat?
Mr. GUINNESSExactly, and there is much more danger of the disease being conveyed in fresh meat, arid therefore we have found it necessary, in the light of experience, to forbid the importation of fresh meat from these disease-infected European areas.
§ Sir R. THOMASBut is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these animals can be examined at Zeebrugge before being brought over?
Mr. GUINNESSThere was an examination in force in Belgium and Holland, but it did not prevent fresh carcases from those countries causing disastrous losses in this country by the infection which they brought in.
§ Sir R. THOMASDoes the right hon. Gentleman not admit that infection can be brought into this country by frozen meat?
Mr. GUINNESSNo; I have no evidence of it, and there is no suspicion against frozen meat. The only question is whether it can be brought in by chilled meat.
§ 44. Sir R. THOMASasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his advisers have any evidence that the continued presence of foot-and-mouth disease in this country is attributable to the importation of frozen or chilled meat from abroad?
Mr. GUINNESSNo case of foot-and-mouth disease in this country has been traced to imported chilled or frozen meat. Under experimental conditions the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee have found that the virus of foot-and-mouth disease can remain active in bone marrow at low temperatures for 76 days. To guard against this theoretical risk, all broken meat, bones and foreign meat wrappings are required to be boiled or sterilised before being brought into contact with animals.
§ 42. Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture what action, if any the United States Government has taken regarding the importation of beef from the Argentine on the grounds of foot-and-mouth disease; and whether he will obtain, for publication here, the information upon which any such action has been taken?
Mr. GUINNESSI have instituted inquiries, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as the necessary information is obtained.
§ 46. Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether all the Dominions have agreed to accept the new British quarantine conditions for exported British pedigree stock; and whether negotiations of a similar character are in progress with any foreign countries?
Mr. GUINNESSSeveral Oversee Governments of the Empire have welcomed the scheme for quarantine stations, and have accepted the conditions proposed. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
Mr. GUINNESSI am afraid I cannot remember which Dominions have accepted, but I will let my hon. Friend know.