HC Deb 05 March 1929 vol 226 cc188-9
61. Sir A. SINCLAIR

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received a copy of a resolution, unanimously adopted by the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society, drawing attention to the losses suffered by Scottish breeders of pedigree stock in consequence of the intermittent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in various parts of England, and urging the necessity of applying more stringent regulations to prevent the introduction of the disease into Scotland and suggesting that the penalties for failure to report outbreaks of the disease be increased; and whether he will state what action he proposes to take?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. I much regret the loss suffered by all breeders of pedigree stock owing to foot-and-mouth disease, but I do not consider that it is practicable to take any further precautions to prevent the introduction of infection from abroad. I will circulate details of existing precautions in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I would add that the maximum penalty for an offence under the Diseases of Animals Acts was increased by the Diseases of Animals Act, 1927, from £20 to £50.

Following are the details:

Measures for Preventing Introduction of Infection from Abroad.

  1. (i) Prohibition of landing of live animals from abroad, except—
    1. (a) From Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, subject to certain conditions;
    2. (b) Canadian store cattle for feeding purposes, subject to the provisions of the Act of 1922, and
    3. (c) Fat cattle or sheep from Canada, the United States, the Union of South Africa (including the Mandated Territory of South West Africa), Southern Rhodesia, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, subject to slaughter at an imported animals' wharf at the port of landing within 10 days after landing.
  2. (ii) Prohibition of the landing of fresh carcases and animal products from the Continent of Europe, with certain minor exceptions.
  3. (iii) Prohibition of landing of hay and straw from countries infected with foot-and-mouth disease.
  4. (iv) Requirement that packing materials used for goods and meat, whether imported or not, shall not be brought into contact with animals and shall be destroyed when their use as packing material is finished.
  5. (v) Requirement that all waste animal foodstuffs or swill containing animal matter, whether of foreign or home origin, shall be boiled before being fed to or brought into contact with animals.
  6. (vi) Arrangements have been made with the South American Governments for the imposition of stringent regulations designed to prevent the export to this country of carcases of animals infected with or exposed to the infection of foot-and-mouth disease.

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