§ 53. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease did not come from an indigenous source but must have come from a foreign importation of Continental oats, straw, or butter, and in view of the danger of a further outbreak from such sources, he will impose an embargo on such imports?
§ Dr. ADDISONSo far as I have been able to ascertain, there are no grounds for attributing the outbreak to the causes mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member. The original source of infection was from cattle imported from Ireland, and I am informed by the Ministry of Agriculture for Northern Ireland that the origin of the outbreak in County Down is being fully investigated, but that they are not yet in a position to make any statement as to the cause.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this disease is not indigenous and, therefore, must have come from outside and will he not prohibit articles which may carry it into this country?
§ Dr. ADDISONIf I were to prohibit all articles that might carry infection, I should have to prohibit a large part of our imports.