57. Brigadier-General BROWNasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that during the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease round Reading travellers from various firms visited farms to sell their disinfectants or other wares, no steps being taken to stop them spreading infection from one farm to another; 1901 and whether, in any future outbreaks, notices at all infected farms will be put up forbidding any traders on the premises?
§ Major ELLIOTI am aware that complaints have been made to the effect stated in the first part of the question. Under the provisions of Section 13 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, if an occupier in an infected area has affixed a notice to his premises forbidding entry therein without permission, any person not having by law a right of entry and entering without such permission is guilty of an offence against the Act. These provisions have been brought to the notice of the Berkshire branch of the National Fanners' Union. As regards the last part of the question, a rule made under the Foot-and-Mouth Order, 1928, prohibits under penalty the entry into an infected place of any persons other than an inspector of the Ministry without the prior written authority of the inspector, and posters warning the public to this effect are exhibited at the entrance to all infected places.